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<\|description\|>Vah'lux Ki-ao'uthal Gender: Female Race: Goliath Main Class: Barbarian Alignment: Chaotic Good Size: Large (considered one size up due to "Powerful Build" trait) Height: 7ft 5in Weight: 275lbs Eyes: Emerald Hair: Charcoal Appearance:A being slightly below average for her race of pseudo-giants, Vah'lux stands at seven-foot-five, with lean, defined muscles, slate-toned skin mottled with darker -virtually random- streaked markings, and emerald eyes that seemingly glow in low light under a furrowed brow. Dark hair is about as disheveled as one would imagine from her kind, cut uneven in some areas, and the longest part braided in a thick ponytail and secured with beaded string and fabric remnants. While the woman may be in her late twenties, years of harsh weather, blows to the face, scars that never healed properly, and other factors have made her seem older and quite "rough" in appearance, stripping away the beauty she once held as a youngling within her race. Layers of light tan-colored wrapped linen cover her chest and pelvic areas, while her armor consists of thick, reinforced furs and pelts, intricately woven and layered in order to keep both the elements at bay, and bodily damage to a minimum. Personality Description: Ambitious, even-tempered, mentally tough, and competitive, Vah'lux gleans with a genuine confidence that very few seem to have in this current age. Whereas her demeanor may come off as coarse, it couldn't be further from the truth. Her rough exterior is balanced by a warm, humble approach, and generally friendly disposition, as even when things may seem dark, she manages to lift the mood of the people she encounters.</s> <\|message\|>Vah'lux Ki-ao'uthal The freshly sharpened tip of the steel javelin caught a small yellow-orange ray of morning sun as the hunter nestled between a pair of tall, hollowed-out tree trucks. The sunlight hadn't quite reached the entirety of the vast landscape, and the massive trees of the forest gave just enough shadowy cover to keep the Goliath hidden from all but the most keen of vision. It was time to hunt, and this part of the region of Faerun was known for its wild boar, elk, and various vegetation, unspoiled by the age of industry as the wilderness itself continued to thrive. The large frame of the tribe-woman stood as still and silent as was possible, and a muscular arm held the short, spear-like weapon at the ready, awaiting the small boar to make its way into the kill zone. Vah'lux learned much about patience when it came to the hunt, taking what she had been taught all those many years ago and building upon it, especially as a lone hunter. Too long had she been separated from her people. Too long had she dwelled in lands not her own. But if there was anything that could be said of the great race of pseudo-giants that hailed from the mountainous Northern reaches of Faerun, it was their survivalistic instinct. But, until she is one again reunited with her great tribe, surviving in the unknown regions is her only recourse. Her emerald eyes darted to movement several meters ahead, and her hand gripped the javelin as she knew this would have to be the creature she'd tracked earlier. The wild boar were quite large in this part, one which could provide food for at least a few days, or even a week if rationed out properly. However, a Goliath's metabolism is quite extraordinary at times, that such a beast may only be sufficient for a day or two. Either way, Vah'lux was hungry as her stomach enjoyed reminding her throughout the early morning hours. There it was, the boar! And with her weapon at the ready, Vah'lux was just about to thrust her arm forward and release the steel javelin so it may fly through the air, fast and true, toward it's target. But wait. What is this? Someone or something had spooked the animal enough for it to flee for its life, and Vah'lux, irritated by the sudden interruption, allowed a frustrated sigh to escape through her lips and nostrils. This wasn't right. This was supposed to be her kill, not that of another. But, as it turned out, the short strangers paid no heed to the boar as they marched through the dense trees up ahead, with makeshift spears, wooden shields, crude swords, and a nasty disposition backed by distinct snarling and bickering that reminded the Goliath of a particularly sly and disgusting creature. "Goblins." She muttered under her breath, stepping back behind the old tree trunks to be fully engulfed by their shadows, while maintaining a clear visual on the band of mischief-makers as they continued their trek past her hunting spot and toward the south. Vah'lux had seen a few smaller groups of Goblins over the past week, gathering in various spots along her travels, and the few times they spotted her, their first instinct was to steer clear of the "giant woman", which most likely kept them alive a day longer. But the Goliath let them pass. She had no quarrel with them, nor did she intend to start one. She herself was enough of a stranger in a strange land, and at the moment, food was about the only thing on her mind.</s> <\|message\|>Brennen, Pyromancer of the Charred Bog "Huuch! Daagaan an or huuch!?" Harsh, guttural words escaped the lip-less mouths of one of the creatures, larger and uglier than the others. With a shortsword that appeared to be little more than a jagged shard of obsidian tied to a makeshift hilt, the Goblin swung the blade about with as much refinement as a butcher with a cleaver. "Hegaan an huuch!" The Goblin spat, now pressing the sword's tip against Brennen's neck. His head tilted back as far as it could go, Brennen's lips twitched in fearful anticipation, ragged breaths leaving his chest. With only the slightest amount of pressure, the blade began to cut into his flesh, blood already starting to trickle from the wound. "I don't...know...what...you're asking me." Brennen plead in his defense, wincing as the sword dug slightly deeper, drawing more blood down his neck. "Hegaan huuch! Or o dhuul..." Brennen could've sworn the Goblin's rasping voice took a sinister edge, but had little time to focus as the Goblin's blade began to move, opening fresh cuts along his neck, only just skin-deep. Eyes slamming shut, Renault breathed in sharply as the stinging sensation followed the blade's trail. The spark he had been coaxing in his bound hands flared to life, unleashing a gout of flame that assailed one of the nearby trees. In only a few seconds, the familiar stench of smoke began to fill the air; as leaves and bark began to pop and smoke, fresh tongues of fire forming along the trunk. Taken by surprise, the Goblin quickly withdrew the obsidian blade, barking commands to the other wretches, who scrambled frantically to try and put the fire out.</s>	<\|message\|>Vah'lux Ki-ao'uthal ○ ○ ۝ ○ ○ The Goliath knew of a river that ran quite the distance toward the Southwest, and since that was the way her travels would take her, she walked for a good distance -wary of the Goblins in the area- until she eventually reached the banks of fresh water. Thirsty, Vah/lux pulled the hide water pouch from her belt to refill before continuing her journey along the river, gripping the javelin in one hand, which can also double as a close-combat weapon should the need arise. Her weapon of choice, however, has always been, and will alway be, the large glaive strapped to her back, one which was taken as almost a "trophy", from her Orc captor many months prior. She had, since then fashioned the polearm to suit her aesthetic, carving into the hardwood handle, ancient symbols of her people, tribe, and culture, as well as fashioning feathers together from sacred birds, and hanging them just under where the massive blade attached. Vah'lux had wondered quite often why she'd kept such a reminder of her many years in captivity under the mud and shit covered heel of the Orcs, yet she could think of no other reason as simply a reminder of victory against oppression. Never again would she allow herself to be taken prisoner. At least, not alive. The smell of burning wood caught the Goliath's attention as the winds shifted toward her, and while that isn't an unusual scent to be carried through the air considering plenty of intelligent creatures through the wilderness may build fires for cooking or warmth, what wasn't typical was using the wood of the great pines, as it can be toxic to ingest and quite messy. So, one of two things were happening, perhaps: A camp had no other choice of kindling, or- And just then, Vah'lux could see the thick, black plumage of smoke atop the tree line ahead, which most likely meant one or more of the pines had caught fire. "V`harsoth" She spat the curse in her native tongue, immediately assuming that the various Goblin bands she had been seeing were most likely responsible for the destruction of nature. Creatures such as they were conniving, created only for nefarious purposes, and the Goliath despised them just as much as Orcs. As she drew closer, the fire could be seen through the dense forest, and the Goblin's guttural voices echoed from afar. A few could be seen running down to the nearby river, scooping up water with makeshift items and even the flipside of their shields, only to hustle back up the incline and disappear behind the trees. Using the bit of shadow cast from the forest, she moved up toward the thick, shady areas, keeping behind shrubs and trees as she crept closer to what appeared to be an encampment, and several Goblins scurrying about. Vah'lux also noticed something, or someone sat down and propped against a tree, with another Goblin a few feet away barking out something to the others as well as keeping an eye on its captive. Human? She assumed based on the figure's body proportions as she crept that much closer, and did her best to avoid direct inhalation of the smoke that was building. The Goblin looming over the captive shot a glance toward her direction, and the Goliath stopped, hoping that her natural slate-colored skin and earthy hide armor would keep her position secret for the time being. And that it did, as the creature turned away and toward the tree fire that the others were tending to. With a sigh, Vah'lux wondered why she was getting herself into this mess in the first place. This wasn't her fight, per se, and she could be off carving her own path through Faerun. But the Goliath, as stubborn as they could be, were also a culture who had a heart to assist those in need, sometimes whether they deserved it or not. And with that, she circled around until she was out of the Goblin's line of sight, and crept ever-so-closer to her target. Human indeed, or perhaps an Elf? It was hard to tell from the vantage point, but regardless, the person was clearly tied to the base of the tree as the Goblins decided to have their way with his camp. This wouldn't do at all. Vah'lux pulled back her muscled arm, javelin balanced in her hand, and closed an eye to gauge distance before thrusting the weapon forward and letting it fly through the air with the force of a hurricane behind it. The metallic spear emitted a low whistle as it cut through a few low hanging branches before skewing clean through the side of the Goblin's odd-shaped skull, and sending its small frame soaring a few meters across the grassy landscape before the sharp tip of the javelin embedded itself into the trunk of a nearby spruce. The Goblin's body dangled lifelessly. Vah'lux ran up to the stranger who had been tied to the tree, knelt down next to him, and pulled out her hand ax to slice the ropes. "U'hrs ghorth" She said to the other, quickly realizing this one most likely did not speak her language. "Do not move." Her words seamlessly switched to the common tongue, with still the hint of an underlying accent. "Are you hurt?" She finally said, after a few moments of cutting through the bindings until the stranger's wrists were free. At that moment, however, the shrieking of the Goblin's filthy language echoed from across the clearing. A few of the ones putting out the tree fire had turned and noticed the Goliath, and they were not happy. One even let off a barrage of exclamatory comments after witnessing the death of their supposed leader. "Can you fight?" The Goliath gazed at the other with large emerald eyes that almost seemed to glow in the light of the fire. She cocked her head slightly, awaiting an answer, however, at that moment a half dozen Goblin soldiers armed with various melee weapons and shields bounded toward the two of them. "By Kavaki, I certainly hope you can." She said with a sigh as she stood to her feet, towering over the human, and passed him her ax which would most likely require two-hands to wield. With almost the same fluid motion, Vah'lux reached around to the Glaive strapped to her back, and with flick of her wrist, released the hook and swung the six foot weapon around to her front before holding with both hands into a ready position.</s>
<\|description\|>Vah'lux Ki-ao'uthal Gender: Female Race: Goliath Main Class: Barbarian Alignment: Chaotic Good Size: Large (considered one size up due to "Powerful Build" trait) Height: 7ft 5in Weight: 275lbs Eyes: Emerald Hair: Charcoal Appearance:A being slightly below average for her race of pseudo-giants, Vah'lux stands at seven-foot-five, with lean, defined muscles, slate-toned skin mottled with darker -virtually random- streaked markings, and emerald eyes that seemingly glow in low light under a furrowed brow. Dark hair is about as disheveled as one would imagine from her kind, cut uneven in some areas, and the longest part braided in a thick ponytail and secured with beaded string and fabric remnants. While the woman may be in her late twenties, years of harsh weather, blows to the face, scars that never healed properly, and other factors have made her seem older and quite "rough" in appearance, stripping away the beauty she once held as a youngling within her race. Layers of light tan-colored wrapped linen cover her chest and pelvic areas, while her armor consists of thick, reinforced furs and pelts, intricately woven and layered in order to keep both the elements at bay, and bodily damage to a minimum. Personality Description: Ambitious, even-tempered, mentally tough, and competitive, Vah'lux gleans with a genuine confidence that very few seem to have in this current age. Whereas her demeanor may come off as coarse, it couldn't be further from the truth. Her rough exterior is balanced by a warm, humble approach, and generally friendly disposition, as even when things may seem dark, she manages to lift the mood of the people she encounters.</s> <\|message\|>Vah'lux Ki-ao'uthal ○ ○ ۝ ○ ○ Mages. Conjurors. Wizards. Sorcerers. Spellcasters. No matter what they referred to themselves as, or what others perceived them to be, only one word came to the Goliath's mind: Trouble-makers. Growing up in a culture where magic and mysticism seemed to be two separate entities, the magic aspect of Faerun was all but lost on many of her kind, and therefore mistrusted and seen as the work of darker spirits. On more than one occasion, Vah'lux herself witnessed such chaotic usage of spells and witchcraft, even a few of her tribe-mates dfelving in such things only to meet a terrible and agonizing end. Some losing their minds, others, being quite literally consumed by spells that were meant to defend, but backfired instead. The bottom line was that magic was not to be trusted until otherwise proven different. And as the Goliath stood nearby only to see a spark form into a large ball of fire within the palm of the human's hand, she all but leapt backwards a few meters, caught off guard by the cunning of yet another mage. With glaive at the ready, she watched as the fiery weapon was thrust forward and immediately hit the Goblin assailant nearest to them both. Vah'lux had to quickly remind herself that things were already set in motion, and it would do her no good to allow such prejudices to cloud her focus. At least not at that moment. Two Goblins flanked the Goliath, one wielding a shortsword of crude iron, and the other a wooden pike fashioned with a rusty spearhead, and seemingly felt as though they were making a poor choice but at the very last moment. Vah'lux shifted her foot and positioned herself to face the attackers, swinging the massive glaive in a forward arc, first slicing through the torso of the sword-wielder, and knocking the other to the ground, before allowing the momentum of the weapon to guide her next action. Vah'lux quickly pivoted slightly, spinning the shaft of the glaive so the tail-end pointed down at the prone Goblin, and with a great force, impaled the creature through the face with the pointed steel tip. It's lithe frame squirming under the initial pain, followed by muscle spasms, until no movement was left. The other, sliced halfway through it's torso, bled out into the soil beneath. The Goliath spat toward the corpses, hating the fact that their decomposition would soon contaminate an otherwise beautiful area. The Goliath pulled the bloodied glaive from the ground and turned to spot two others nearby who seemingly were ready to defend whatever they had left...</s> <\|message\|>Brennen, Pyromancer of the Charred Bog There were few true warriors to be found in the Charred Bog. Their lack of contact with the outside world removed the necessity for it. Indeed, no knights or armor-clad soldiers could be counted amongst their numbers. They were pillagers, scavengers, finding what weapons and bits of metal they could from the swamp, itself. Centuries worth of failed campaigns and ill-fated adventures. The Pyromancers used their home to their advantage; favoring skirmishes and short-lived, decisive battles over drawn-out conflicts. To say that Brennen was out of his element in the middle of enemy territory surrounded by angry, bloodthirsty Goblins would have been a gross understatement. But to his incredibly tall rescuer, it was almost a dance. She swung her blade with deadly precision, and Brennen could not help but notice the nearly dance-like rhythm of her muscles beneath slate-colored skin. For such a large, unwieldy-looking weapon, she wielded it as though it were weightless. For comparison, Brennen held the smaller axe she gave him with the clumsiness of unfamiliarity. His own axe was far smaller than this; little more than a hatchet, all things considered. But this weapon, suited for one closer to his rescuer's size, forced him to adapt his stance. Of the two Goblins that presently remained, one, at least, had the forethought not to end up like his burning companion, and charged at Brennen with a cry that radiated pure malice. Seeing this, Brennen took a step back, a brief flash of surprise spreading across his features before settling into stoic concentration. Loosening his grip on the axe ever so slightly, he felt the polished wood handle slide down his hand, waiting until he nearly reached the butt of it. Tightening his hold as the Goblin came ever-closer, Brennen threw all his weight into an upward swing, using his momentum to add strength to the strike that he could not have otherwise. The blade caught the Goblin by head, cleaving into mottled flesh and rotten bone before sending the creature's mutilated corpse back and onto the blood-stained grass. The last Goblin remained, betraying in its cruel countenance, a fearful uncertainty of what it wanted to do next. Run close and face an axe? Or keep distance and confront the woman's glaive. Still hearing the anguished moans of his still-smoking companion, the Goblin was smart enough to realize two words that every race could trace back to at some point or another: Fire dangerous.</s> <\|message\|>Vah'lux Ki-ao'uthal ○ ○ ۝ ○ ○ The fact that the human struggled a bit with the weight of the Goliath's hand axe wasn't missed, and it even brought a bit of a smirk to her face watching such a thing. Still, there was a small bit of respect now for the mage, that while Vah'lux assumed differently about the effectiveness of such a man's martial skills, it was clear that the human at least knew how to swing a weapon without losing it. The Goliath turned her attention to the remaining Goblin, the one who seemingly was at odds with itself and with the situation at that point. Their comrades were taken down within seconds between both she and the human, and perhaps the creature who now stood shaking and mumbling something in its native tongue would be wiser to simply- "We have a runner..." Vah'lux said in a matter-of-fact tone, watching as the small being turned-tail and scurried off as quickly as its little legs could carry it. The warrioress jammed the spiked butt-end of her glaive into the ground far enough for it to stand on its own, and with the other hand, reached behind her to slide out another steel javelin from it's leatherbound quiver. Switching it to her other hand, she shifted her stance, positioning herself to wind back her arm, and held the other out, pointing two fingers toward her target, as she turned her head and aimed down the length of her muscular arm for a moment. "But hopefully not for long." And with that, she thrusted her weapon arm forward and released the metal shaft as it once again let out a low whistle through the air, gliding across the clearing, before skewing the Goblin through the back and causing it to immediately collapse and squirm before bleeding out. Vah'lux sighed as she surveyed the camp. "I assume this was your place?"</s> <\|message\|>Brennen, Pyromancer of the Charred Bog The battle ended, almost as quickly as it had begun, in fact. The tension in his body relaxing, Brennen's shoulders fell into a more casual posture as he looked upon their handiwork, eyes falling to each of the corpses that marked their victory. Wordlessly, he knelt near to the ground, reaching for the obsidian short sword that lay in the grass, falling from the grip of the Goblin whose remains still decorated the nearby tree. Holding it to the morning light to examine its craftsmanship, the blade looked equal parts crude and beautiful to Brennen. Given the poor quality weapons possessed by the majority of Goblins, anything more polished than a rusted dagger would have likely been a sign of strength and status. For a moment, Brennen held the blade properly by the hilt. It was too light and clumsy, made for hands much smaller than his - and certainly much smaller than that of his rescuer's. He turned to see the woman surveying the camp, with a look that befit a hunter upon the horizon. "I assume this was your place?" She said to him after a deep sigh escaped her lungs. "No, actually." Brennen answered, ending his first sentence with an uncertainty that indicated he was not done speaking. He looked down at the obsidian blade still in his hands, debating its usefulness, then letting it fall to the wet grass without another thought. "No, they must have dragged me here; looking for loot and a meal, most likely." Brennen continued, a look of concern briefly flashing over his hood-obscured features at the thought of being cooked and...eaten by those creatures; which would have undoubtedly been his fate had this woman not come along when she did. "I just--" he hung on the word for a second, eyes narrowed as he looked for something. "Need to see where they put my things..." With that, he moved towards the center of the camp, closer to the bonfire that still burned, though was hungering for kindling that was not there. As he walked by, Brennen absentmindedly stretched out a hand into the fire, his fingers curling as tongues of the flame lapped out towards him, as though trying to ensnare him before releasing their hold - unharmed. Heading towards one of several crudely-constructed tents - the largest, in fact - Brennen stooped low enough to cross the flap-covered threshold, the sound of clattering and items moving about undoubtedly reaching the woman's ears, followed by a sudden "Aha!" As Brennen assuredly discovered something he was looking for. A few moments after, Brennen emerged from the tent, holding a rustic, weathered knapsack in his hands, made of coarse leather and holding several empty vials on the outside. Opening the sack, Brennen scoured its contents, making a mental checklist to ensure each and every one of his items were still accounted. He procured a chipped and worn hand axe, the tool fitting into his grip with a familiarity and ease that more than signified that this was his weapon of choice. Returning the axe to a notch at Brennen's belt. Briefly heading back into the tent, Brennen emerged lastly with a shield...if it could even be called that. The slab of planks with an iron boss in the center looked hardly fitting for a Goblin, let alone a proper Human, but Brennen seemed not to care. With his gear now back with him, Brennen returned to the woman, looking all the more pleased. "Ahh, good to know they didn't destroy everything. Though I think a few of them may have drunk my potions...Hm." Pausing on that note, Brennen looked up to face his rescuer, holding out the axe she had given him with slight difficulty. "I never properly thanked you, I'd have assuredly been killed had you not arrived. I am most grateful." At this, Brennen gave a small, halfway bow, showing all the clumsiness of a man inexperienced with such gestures. "I am Brennen, what might your name be?"</s>	<\|message\|>Vah'lux Ki-ao'uthal ○ ○ ۝ ○ ○ If anything, humans seemed to be a rather predictable lot, along with attachments to a variety of objects that could not or would not have an attachment to them. And while the Goliath admired a warrior who prized a particular weapon, for instance, the weathered mage had a few things that appeared to be near and dear to him. Things that almost seemed trivial to the other, yet what did she care? Vah'lux nodded in appreciation toward Brennen as she slid the shaft of the hand ax through metal rings that hung on a thick leather belt around her waist. Speaking of admired weapons, the woman couldn't deny the fact that she loved the ax, especially one so well-balanced and fit just right for her style of combat. She may have hailed from a race of pseudo-giants who packed on the muscle through both genetics and physical training, but make no mistake that she was far from a lumbering beast. Heavy, clumsy weapons were never her thing, but a weapon with some weight to it and one that wouldn't hinder her ability to make swift attacks and counters, was something to cherish for sure. "You handled yourself well." The Goliath said as she continued to survey the area, watching as the fires which engulfed at least one pine began to die away. "I noticed the Goblins on my own journey throughout this part of Faerun, especially this far west. I think something may have pushed their numbers this way, but unsure of what." Vah'lux shook her head. "Most likely greed if you ask me. They are a race of scavengers above all else, and where there are numbers in their ranks, there's bound to be trouble on the horizon."</s>
<\|description\|>Vah'lux Ki-ao'uthal Gender: Female Race: Goliath Main Class: Barbarian Alignment: Chaotic Good Size: Large (considered one size up due to "Powerful Build" trait) Height: 7ft 5in Weight: 275lbs Eyes: Emerald Hair: Charcoal Appearance:A being slightly below average for her race of pseudo-giants, Vah'lux stands at seven-foot-five, with lean, defined muscles, slate-toned skin mottled with darker -virtually random- streaked markings, and emerald eyes that seemingly glow in low light under a furrowed brow. Dark hair is about as disheveled as one would imagine from her kind, cut uneven in some areas, and the longest part braided in a thick ponytail and secured with beaded string and fabric remnants. While the woman may be in her late twenties, years of harsh weather, blows to the face, scars that never healed properly, and other factors have made her seem older and quite "rough" in appearance, stripping away the beauty she once held as a youngling within her race. Layers of light tan-colored wrapped linen cover her chest and pelvic areas, while her armor consists of thick, reinforced furs and pelts, intricately woven and layered in order to keep both the elements at bay, and bodily damage to a minimum. Personality Description: Ambitious, even-tempered, mentally tough, and competitive, Vah'lux gleans with a genuine confidence that very few seem to have in this current age. Whereas her demeanor may come off as coarse, it couldn't be further from the truth. Her rough exterior is balanced by a warm, humble approach, and generally friendly disposition, as even when things may seem dark, she manages to lift the mood of the people she encounters.</s> <\|message\|>Vah'lux Ki-ao'uthal ○ ○ ۝ ○ ○ The woman couldn't have agreed more. The Goblin population seemed more an infestation than anything else, pushing out communities here and there, and setting up their own camps by way of resources that were already available. However, they are also creatures of fairly easy flight response, and will usually only attack when they know their numbers outweigh the competition. "Vah'lux." The Goliath nodded toward the other, "And yes, others will most definitely come, if they are not already nearby, signalled by the smoke from the fires." She motioned toward the blackened pine near the edge of the clearing. "It is only good that a single tree had been affected, and not several acres as I have seen before." The Goliath shook her head, thinking back to a previous encounter with Goblins, and their destructive presence upon the woodlands. "In any case…" She continued, walking over toward both spots to retrieve her javelins. "It is time to move on." Vah'lux pulled the first weapon out of the trunk of the tree, as the corpse of the creature slid from the shaft and crumpled to the ground. As she walked over a few meters to retrieve the second, the woman stopped for a moment to listen. The clanging of armor and weapons, and the muffled chatterings of the Goblin language was carried along with the breeze blowing in the adventurers direction. After grabbing the second javelin, the Goliath signalled to Brennen, pointing to her ear first, then the direction of where the sounds were coming from. "We need to go. Now" She whispered, passing closely by the other. "There is a river to the west, not far from here. I suggest we cross it to throw off any trails, then we may go our separate ways."</s> <\|message\|>Brennen, Pyromancer of the Charred Bog "Smoke from the--oh." Brennen caught himself repeating Vah'lux's words as his eyes drifted to the results of his handiwork. He was filled with a sense of shame at his carelessness, however unintentional, and the knowledge that it has been entirely his doing. Lips twitching slightly as he focused perhaps much too hard on his actions, he instead brought himself back to the present, nodding at the large woman as she went to retrieve her javelins. But before much could be said or done, the woman stopped, tensing, a focused look in her eyes. As she signaled over to him, he heard it, too, the guttural chittering of Goblin voices and the clanging of mismatched, ill-found armor and weapons. He wracked his brain for any possible way to create a distraction of some sort, then quickly gave up. Anything he attempted to do to throw them off would likely only attract them further, no, they had to move. "Let's be off, then." Brennen declared in a hushed voice, nodding once at Vah'lux before taking off westward. Though he remained unsure just how far the Goblins had taken him from his camp, a man his size, it couldn't have been terribly far. Once he caught sight of the river, he'd be able to better catch his bearings...then see where the road took him next.</s> <\|message\|>Vah'lux Ki-ao'uthal ○ ○ ۝ ○ ○ Skimming along the river several meters, Vah'lux examined the water to catch an area where they could cross, specifically where the mud was high enough that they didn't have to be totally submerged. The sharp-toothed creatures that lurked below the water's surface were the unforgiving lot, and being too vulnerable would mean a huge disadvantage for both the Goliath and the human. The huntress kept watch along the treeline as well, ensuring that that duo wasn't being flanked by Goblin forces. "Here." She pointed to an area in the river where the mud was raised enough enough to almost make a bridge across the river. "We'll cross here. But be wary, this river is deeper than it appears." The large woman stepped into the water, which rose up to about her knees, and kept steady with her glaive used as a walking stick. "Keep an eye on any shiny yellow-orange fish, they tend to enjoy nibbling to the point that they may tear flesh."</s> <\|message\|>Brennen, Pyromancer of the Charred Bog Following suit after the woman, Brennen was taken aback - though more out of annoyance - as the water that rose to her knees reached his torso, making his gait slow and unseemly. The Bog had only a few places where the fetid water reached any higher than one's ankles, but the Pyromancers knew to steer clear. Magics had a profound impact not only on their wielder, but on the environment as well. Places shaped, twisted by years of exposure to the mystical forces that lay just beneath the surface of the temporal. Though the Pyromancers stood as steadfast guards within the Bog for centuries, just outside their borders, covens of witches, necromancers, and would-be-warlocks practiced their foul 'arts', irrevocably tainting the land. Struggling to find a foothold in the frigid, flowing waters, Brennen briefly regretted finding his gear in the Goblin's camp, as the hatchet at his hip felt like a hunk of raw lead only further weighing him down. Eyes peeled just beneath the surface of the river, Brennen kept his arms up as much as he could, in case someone...or something intended to engage them. Spotting something bright and orange out of the corner of his eye, Brennen did not hesitate, letting out a hiss through grit teeth as he shot a bolt of fire towards its direction in the river. Though dissipating as quickly as it had appeared, the fire displaced the water, leaving naught but steam in its wake. He looked up at Vah'lux somewhat sheepishly, perhaps thinking his reaction was a tad overzealous. But given the situation they were currently in, a healthy paranoia was, perhaps, a necessity.</s> <\|message\|>Vah'lux Ki-ao'uthal ○ ○ ۝ ○ ○ The flash of fire and immediate hiss of it disappearing into nothing but vapor, caught the Goliath's attention from the corner of her eye. For a moment Vah'lux had forgotten that a mage was in her midst, at least, {i]some[/i] sort of a magic user dealing with fire. A "Pyromancer" she believed they were called by some, and even "the devil's advocate" by others, which was more a term born out of spite than anything else. Most people looked at a magic user as untrustworthy and deceitful, and while the Goliath herself felt those waves of sentiment, it was more the fact that her companion was human. Trust had to be earned in great leaps and bounds for sure. "You would do well to keep the use of magic to a minimum here." She said very plainly, looking back at the other for a moment before returning her attention toward the riverbank. "There are plenty of sentient creatures in this region who would most likely kill you at the sight of such trickery." Vah'lux could tell her own bias against a human user of magic was beginning to surface in a way she didn't particularly like. Emotion was a weakness, and one she could not -would not- show in the company of a stranger. At that moment, nearing the edge of the river, she leaped onto the muddy bank, using her glaive to steady her balance due to the uneven surface. "Watch yourself there, as this sand can be unforgiving." Moments later, the garbled hysterics of the Goblin language could be heard echoing from the other side of the river, where a handful of the creatures peeked out from the darkness of the forest. A few decided it best to wastefully spend a few crude arrows at the travelers expense, all of which fell short of their targets. Vah'lux shook her head at their presence, still curious why they are as restless and aggressive as they've been for the past few weeks. "They are no danger to us now, but be on guard." The Goliath gaze across the flatter lands in front of them, which wasn't as heavily covered in trees and a bit more open. "It is safe to part ways." She gave Brennen a not, as though to say goodbye to say farewell to the human.</s> <\|message\|>Brennen, Pyromancer of the Charred Bog Trickery? Brennen at first looked confused by the word. Then - if only for a moment - indignant. What was the trickery in fire? Fire was warmth, and light. A shining beacon that stood vigilant against peerless dark. His lips twitched ever-so-slightly under his hood, as though he was measuring what to say. The flash of anger that briefly overtook him disappeared as quickly as it had come. Offense was not intended, and he would not respond with it. "The Sorcerers that navigate the lands outside may wield magic with a guileful hand, intent to deceive. But the Fire we wield is primal...heretical. Not drawn from arcane tomes and spell-books, but from ourselves." To emphasize his point, Brennen cupped both hands together, letting a sliver of flame - no bigger than a candle - manifest in his palms. "It is more than just magic." He said, this time looking up to Vah'lux. "It is a part of me." At that he smiled, almost softly, as if in reminisce. Returning to the present once more as they reached the bank of the river, Vah'lux warned of the land's unsteadiness as she leapt upon the muddy sand, using her weapon as a foothold. Nodding once, Brennen followed in suit, showing ease-of-movement that spoke to his upbringing. The Bog was filled with all manner of deep pools and shifting ground. The first mistake many would-be-conquerors made was bringing horses into such a treacherous land... "It is safe to part ways." Brennen heard her say, turning to see her nod in his direction. This was a farewell. Though Brennen's instincts agreed with her sentiment, something else in him fought against that, prompting him to, for better or worse, go against instinct. "I still owe you a debt." He replied, pausing to let the words hang in the air. "I'd have been dead by now, were it not for your timely rescue. That's something I take seriously." Though he said nothing else, his intent was quiet clear.</s>	<\|message\|>Vah'lux Ki-ao'uthal ○ ○ ۝ ○ ○ The Goliath knew her words would sting the other in a way that cut deeper than she could ever imagine. They were not words to be spiteful, but moreso, out of caution, as Vah'lux had her fair share of dealing with darker forces than the one standing only a few feet from her. However, the primal side of life she most certainly understood, and respected to a degree. It was the early teachings -both physical and spiritual- of her people that kept the Goliath grounded throughout the trials and tribulations. Primal knowledge of one's heritage was important. She glanced at the small fire Brennen conjured in his cupped hands, and nodded in acknowledgement. Certainly nothing special, but still something, she supposed. However, what had caught the tribe woman off guard was the mention of a "debt" that the human mage felt as though he owed her. At first she was about to reject the offer, instinctually wanting nothing more to do with a wandering stranger who most likely didn't want to be in the Goliath's presence anyway. But, she stopped herself, and instead went against her better judgement out of a glimmer of respect for such honor and dignity being shown at the moment. "Just know I will not be responsible for your safety." She said after a few moments of mulling it over in her head, leaning slightly on tall glaive while peering down at the man. "I do not carry extra rations or water, and any food will need to be obtained by your own hands." The disclaimer did seem to come off rather harsh, but in the back of her mind, she hoped the mage would reconsider the offer and go about his own business. "Otherwise..." She sighed. "You are welcome to accompany me." The statement was followed by a nod, before turning her sights toward a cluster of trees in the distance, this time on their side of the river. "The path to the south is being watched, and the Goblins won't forget what happened back at the camp. We will continue to head west, but be on guard." She said, putting a large hand on Brennan's shoulder and giving the human a bit of a squeeze. "As these creatures have a nasty habit of picking on the smallest first." Vah'lux gave the other a wry grin and a gentle pat as she turned and headed toward the intended direction.</s>
<\|description\|>Vah'lux Ki-ao'uthal Gender: Female Race: Goliath Main Class: Barbarian Alignment: Chaotic Good Size: Large (considered one size up due to "Powerful Build" trait) Height: 7ft 5in Weight: 275lbs Eyes: Emerald Hair: Charcoal Appearance:A being slightly below average for her race of pseudo-giants, Vah'lux stands at seven-foot-five, with lean, defined muscles, slate-toned skin mottled with darker -virtually random- streaked markings, and emerald eyes that seemingly glow in low light under a furrowed brow. Dark hair is about as disheveled as one would imagine from her kind, cut uneven in some areas, and the longest part braided in a thick ponytail and secured with beaded string and fabric remnants. While the woman may be in her late twenties, years of harsh weather, blows to the face, scars that never healed properly, and other factors have made her seem older and quite "rough" in appearance, stripping away the beauty she once held as a youngling within her race. Layers of light tan-colored wrapped linen cover her chest and pelvic areas, while her armor consists of thick, reinforced furs and pelts, intricately woven and layered in order to keep both the elements at bay, and bodily damage to a minimum. Personality Description: Ambitious, even-tempered, mentally tough, and competitive, Vah'lux gleans with a genuine confidence that very few seem to have in this current age. Whereas her demeanor may come off as coarse, it couldn't be further from the truth. Her rough exterior is balanced by a warm, humble approach, and generally friendly disposition, as even when things may seem dark, she manages to lift the mood of the people she encounters.</s> <\|message\|>Brennen, Pyromancer of the Charred Bog Trickery? Brennen at first looked confused by the word. Then - if only for a moment - indignant. What was the trickery in fire? Fire was warmth, and light. A shining beacon that stood vigilant against peerless dark. His lips twitched ever-so-slightly under his hood, as though he was measuring what to say. The flash of anger that briefly overtook him disappeared as quickly as it had come. Offense was not intended, and he would not respond with it. "The Sorcerers that navigate the lands outside may wield magic with a guileful hand, intent to deceive. But the Fire we wield is primal...heretical. Not drawn from arcane tomes and spell-books, but from ourselves." To emphasize his point, Brennen cupped both hands together, letting a sliver of flame - no bigger than a candle - manifest in his palms. "It is more than just magic." He said, this time looking up to Vah'lux. "It is a part of me." At that he smiled, almost softly, as if in reminisce. Returning to the present once more as they reached the bank of the river, Vah'lux warned of the land's unsteadiness as she leapt upon the muddy sand, using her weapon as a foothold. Nodding once, Brennen followed in suit, showing ease-of-movement that spoke to his upbringing. The Bog was filled with all manner of deep pools and shifting ground. The first mistake many would-be-conquerors made was bringing horses into such a treacherous land... "It is safe to part ways." Brennen heard her say, turning to see her nod in his direction. This was a farewell. Though Brennen's instincts agreed with her sentiment, something else in him fought against that, prompting him to, for better or worse, go against instinct. "I still owe you a debt." He replied, pausing to let the words hang in the air. "I'd have been dead by now, were it not for your timely rescue. That's something I take seriously." Though he said nothing else, his intent was quiet clear.</s> <\|message\|>Vah'lux Ki-ao'uthal ○ ○ ۝ ○ ○ The Goliath knew her words would sting the other in a way that cut deeper than she could ever imagine. They were not words to be spiteful, but moreso, out of caution, as Vah'lux had her fair share of dealing with darker forces than the one standing only a few feet from her. However, the primal side of life she most certainly understood, and respected to a degree. It was the early teachings -both physical and spiritual- of her people that kept the Goliath grounded throughout the trials and tribulations. Primal knowledge of one's heritage was important. She glanced at the small fire Brennen conjured in his cupped hands, and nodded in acknowledgement. Certainly nothing special, but still something, she supposed. However, what had caught the tribe woman off guard was the mention of a "debt" that the human mage felt as though he owed her. At first she was about to reject the offer, instinctually wanting nothing more to do with a wandering stranger who most likely didn't want to be in the Goliath's presence anyway. But, she stopped herself, and instead went against her better judgement out of a glimmer of respect for such honor and dignity being shown at the moment. "Just know I will not be responsible for your safety." She said after a few moments of mulling it over in her head, leaning slightly on tall glaive while peering down at the man. "I do not carry extra rations or water, and any food will need to be obtained by your own hands." The disclaimer did seem to come off rather harsh, but in the back of her mind, she hoped the mage would reconsider the offer and go about his own business. "Otherwise..." She sighed. "You are welcome to accompany me." The statement was followed by a nod, before turning her sights toward a cluster of trees in the distance, this time on their side of the river. "The path to the south is being watched, and the Goblins won't forget what happened back at the camp. We will continue to head west, but be on guard." She said, putting a large hand on Brennan's shoulder and giving the human a bit of a squeeze. "As these creatures have a nasty habit of picking on the smallest first." Vah'lux gave the other a wry grin and a gentle pat as she turned and headed toward the intended direction.</s> <\|message\|>Brennen, Pyromancer of the Charred Bog Brennen couldn't help a slight chuckle at Vah'lux's words, initially wanting to make a sly comment in regards to her first statement. However, given the circumstances of their meeting, Brennen decided against it. Cockiness would get him nowhere when he had to be rescued just minutes ago. Regardless, self-sufficiency was a virtue in his culture. His days of total helplessness ended the moment he was weaned off his mother's breast. Though Valaista had blessed them each with the Gift of Flame, the Bog was a dangerous place inhabited by twisted creatures. Their Arts aided them, but those who lacked the proper mindfulness were swiftly overcome. "Goblins have always been around, but--" Brennen paused, pondering on his next words before speaking. "Their boldness has increased." At this, Brennen rubbed the back of his head through the coarse fabric of his hood, wincing as his fingers brushed across the spot they had clubbed him. "Orcs and Goblins are alike in only a few ways, but those ways bode misfortune for anyone else. They're disorganized, aggressive, and self-serving. But every so often, one with a little ambition takes over and then you have an army. They never last long, but..." Brennen's mouth twitched, clearly thinking of the untold horrors that a Goblin raid would inflict. Taken out of his thoughts by the woman's large hand clapping against his shoulder, Brennen couldn't help the slight stumble in his steps from Vah'lux's clearly superior strength. "Smaller in stature, but certainly not helpless...ordinarily." Brennen spared a slight chuckle. "There should be a small town not far from here...a few miles to the West. The Goblins couldn't have taken me far, so we should still be in the right area. It's walled off, has a small militia, should be somewhere safe to stay temporarily while we figure out a plan."</s> <\|message\|>Vah'lux Ki-ao'uthal ○ ○ ۝ ○ ○ Agreeing to stick together for the time being, the pair headed west, off the beaten path as to hopefully lose any previous pursuers. The sky was slowly beginning to darken with an oncoming storm, as the temperature dropped slightly following gusts of wind. "Aye, the Goblins have been busier as of late." The Goliath nodded in agreement with Brennan's earlier comments. "Mischief begets further mischief." Vah'lux glanced behind them for a moment, seeing a few stragglers trailing behind as the cluster began to disperse. "But, something seems to be stirring their curiosity, or perhaps restlessness, as their drive toward aggression grows each day...." She returned her attention toward the path ahead. "Which becomes more of a nuisance for those wishing to be left alone." The town Brennan mentioned was known to the tribe-woman as one of many trade stops for travelers and merchants, which generally meant the roads leading there would be monitored by not only local militia, but bandits as well. And while the Goliath wanted very little to do with predominantly human-populated towns, she supposed it was a necessary evil to at least lie low for a night. "'Windsgate', I believe is the town you speak of." Vah'lux said after a few moments of silence. "I have never been there, but have met a handful of halflings and humans who reside within its walls. They were, for the most part, hospitable...at least once they saw past the giant of course." She smirked, but shaking her head as well at such things. Humans always had an uneasiness around her kind, but a Halfling who already felt too small for the world most definitely would feel out of place amongst the race of Goliath.</s> <\|message\|>Brennen, Pyromancer of the Charred Bog Brennen let out a short chuckle at Vah'lux's remark, though could not hide his own uncertainty as they followed the path that led to the town. There was a wariness to every step he took, as if he were walking toward a confrontation. There were only a few villages that brushed the grassy border of the Bog, their inhabitants reclusive and suspicious. But those who were aware of the Pyromancers talked of them with disdain. Brennen's giant companion was right: magic was a contentious force to begin with, treated as either a high art, lowly trick, or even demonic power depending on one's perspective. As such, Brennen took care to steer clear of most settlements he came across, preferring to keep to himself in the dense wilds. Sadly, the bristled hairs on the back of his neck followed Vah'lux's suspicion as she glanced behind her. Ordinarily, skirmishers such as these would trail only until the town came into view before promptly disengaging back into whatever sweltering hole they came from. But given the current circumstances, previous behavior was no longer a reassurance. Keeping quiet for the remainder of the journey, Brennen finally broke the silence with a hushed "There it is." As Windsgate's somewhat-imposing walls came into view. The townsfolk had carved this spot of land by hand, using the fell trees to create a shielded defense from anything that dared challenge them from the outside. Two guardsmen stood watch, militia types, by the look of it; wearing an unmatched assortment of leather and chainmail, leaning on spears likely hewn from the wood found in the surrounding area. One of them sniffled, eyes peering up beneath an ill-fitted helmet to appraise the two of them. While not overtly hostile, there was a glint of misgiving in his dark eyes, likely wondering what would bring two queerly-dressed strangers to him. "You lot don't look like traders..." The guard motioned his spear towards Brennen and Vah'lux to emphasize his point. "What brings you here?"</s>	<\|message\|>Vah'lux Ki-ao'uthal ○ ○ ۝ ○ ○ The journey on foot toward Windsgate had been relatively quiet, which was fortunate for one such as the Goliath, preferring the ambience of her woodland surroundings to the ramblings of a human. Still, Brennen's company was bearable as traveling companions go. Vah'lux felt slightly more connected to him from the little she knew of his background and culture, but it did appear that he was a lot closer to nature than many of his kind she had encountered previously. Humans were, at least in her experience, about as untrustworthy as they came, and the woman hoped that she was wrong about the mage. "And so it is." She responded to the other, as they made it to the gates of the town under the watchful and suspicious eyes of the guards. Their bewildered expressions did not go unnoticed, as was typical when a Goliath -much larger than a human by a few feet- would come within proximity. Sometimes it was a mere glance and the shaking of a head, but there have been other times where the initial response was to draw weapons on such a creature as though the lot of her race were nothing but mindless barbarians. Thankfully however, the latter had not been the case, as both her and Brennen stepped into the courtyard of Windsgate unbothered. An ornate circular fountain sat in the center of the square, and at the top sat the statue of their alleged local founder and folk hero: a hunter-gatherer who fought off hordes of Goblins and Orcs to liberate the lands and usher in peace for many years. Of course, peace only lasts for so long. "Where shall we go from here?" Vah'lux said, leaning against her glaive and surveying the small wood and stone buildings that lined the area. Among them, a tavern sat at the far end. "While I am not one to drink at such an early hour, I seem to recall the tavern straight ahead as having a wonderful stew, known to replenish even the most weary of travelers."</s>
<\|description\|>Shadekit -> Shadepaw -> Shadefish -> Shadestar Age: 62 moons Gender: Male Clan: MistClan Rank: Leader Appearance: A slender black tom with sharp green eyes. Personality: At first glance, Shadestar is an aloof cat that doesn't really make his emotions known. He is rather stoic, even with his own Clanmates. But deep inside, he cares deeply for his cats-- it's just that he's awkward and not sure how to show he cares. He's a bit quiet, but understanding and accepting of those who deserve it. Shadestar is also prone to drifting off into his thoughts, often staring into space when he does so. Despite appearing distant, he has a dangerous temper when it comes to cats that dare threaten his Clan. He's somewhat strict when it comes to rules and traditions; a no-nonsense cat, he won't allow others to push him around. Biography: Shadestar was born in the middle of a very warm greenleaf alongside two of his brothers, Robinkit and Riverkit. The three of them played and played and played, exploring MistClan's camp and getting into all sorts of trouble. That was, up until the three kits contracted greencough. Riverkit and Robinkit both died, and Shadekit was suddenly left without brothers. He became very withdrawn due to this, though the then-leader, Lightstar, believed it was a sign from StarClan. Lightstar took Shadepaw as her own apprentice, and because of her mentoring, he blazed through his apprenticeship and earned the name Shadefish. Shadefish was able to successfully train two apprentices when MistClan's deputy, Deep-pool, was suddenly attacked and eaten by a crocodile the Clan had been dealing with for the entirety of newleaf. Lightstar, befuddled by many seasons of leading, took advantage of the situation and immediately promoted Shadefish to deputy. It didn't take him too long to take Lightstar's place-- she passed away due to an unknown illness in leaf-bare of the same year. Shadestar has been the leader for approximately five seasons, and has seven lives left. Apprentice?: None at the moment. Mate?: None at the moment. Kits?: None at the moment.</s> <\|message\|>Shadekit -> Shadepaw -> Shadefish -> Shadestar Shadestar MENTIONS: Eelpond --- Shadestar desperately wanted Eelpond to stay in his den for a little bit longer, but there were responsibilities the both of them had to take care of. He nodded solemnly as Eelpond departed, and once again he was left alone within his den. The morning was soon turning into sunhigh. Hopefully it would be warmer as it got later. He gave his chest fur a few licks and got up to leave his den again. Now that the apprentice ceremony was over, he could grab something to eat from the freshkill pile. The black tom approached the small pile on the floor and pawed at a trout that had most certainly been pulled from the surrounding waters. Hopefully the hunting patrols would come back with more food that day. He grabbed the trout and took it to a sunny spot in camp, settling down and beginning to remove some of the scales that covered its body. Maybe he could go hunting later as well... there was so many things to do that day. Though Eelpond's words sent a shiver up his spine; Irisstar was certainly not being friendly and it would be bad if he went and attacked his warriors. StarClan, I hope not.</s> <\|message\|>Eelpond __________________________________________ Shadestar's Den ---> MistClan Medicine Cat Den Mentions: @blindwoofer's Tinypaw The medicine cat let out a little grateful purr of his own as he settled down on the other side of the fish, tucking his front paws against his chest for now so that he could lean down and bite into the prey, falling quiet for the moment as both cats focused on filling their bellies. Eelpond especially knew that they would need to eat well, they'd need their strength for the journey to the Moonpool. He'd done the trip so many times that admittedly, Eelpond hadn't really thought about using travelling herbs, he hadn't needed them for quite some time now. But he could see how they might help Tinypaw, so, after he had swallowed the next mouthful, he sat back slightly, swiped his tongue around his whiskers and nodded. Eelpond flicked his tail as he looked back towards their den, then the calico she-cat, and dipped his head again. "Yeah, I think some travelling herbs would be helpful, don't you? Do you remember how to make them up?" he didn't think that she would have done so already, they didn't have the time before the apprentice ceremony, so Eelpond figured now was as good a time as any to fit in another lesson and teach Tinypaw how to put together the herb wraps. "Finish up with that fish and join me back in the den, I'll go and start laying everything out so I can show you."</s> <\|message\|>Tinypaw Tinypaw Mentions: @The Elvenqueen The little apprentice smiled happily as she ate. When Eelpond sat up she blinked and licked her whiskers. As he spoke she nodded some. She did think traveling herbs would be a good to have. "Well it is a long way to travel so I would think so." She said but paused and thought a moment before she shook her head. Tinypaw didn't think they'd had reason to make any since she'd become an apprentice so she hadn't learned them yet. Of course it hadn't even been a full moon since she'd been given her apprentice name so there was time to learn. Smiling again she nodded before leaning down and licking up the last few flakes of fish. Once done she quickly groomed before trotting back into their den. "I think daisy leafs are in traveling herbs." She announced once she came into the den. It had taken her time to think it over but she did remember that since one day they'd picked some and Eelpond had told her that they were used to ease pain in joints and given to traveling cats. Sitting down in front of the spot he had the herbs lined up she'd wait excitedly for him to show her how to make the traveling bundle of herbs.</s> <\|message\|>Eelpond __________________________________________ MistClan Medicine Cat Den Mentions: @blindwoofer's Tinypaw __________________________________________ When Tinypaw agreed that she thought the travelling herbs would be a good idea, the older tom nodded gently and left her to finish up the rest of the fish he'd left, getting to his paws and padding into the den to go to the herb store. As he waited for the little calico to join him once more, Eelpond's paws moved through each crevice with practised ease to select out piles of herbs he knew they would need for the mixture, he'd been a medicine cat for long enough now to know them off by heart. Tinypaw would get there too, one day, with his guidance. He set each pile of leaves out in front of him and waited patiently for the she-cat to return to the den. When she did, he waved her across with his tail, beaming proudly as she already managed to recall one of the plants without him so much as prompting her. "Yes, exactly! Daisy leaves are one of the ingredients, well remembered!" he purred proudly, flicking his tail to indicate the other herbs he had laid out before them. "But that's only one of the herbs needed to make what the Clan calls "travelling herbs". There are three others that are mixed together with the daisy leaves that help to give cats who make long journeys strength, and to fill their bellies so they don't feel hungry as quickly, which means that they can cover more ground for a journey like the Moonpool without worrying about hunting on another Clan's territory, which would be against the Warrior Code. Now, do you recognise the names of any of the others, if you have a look at them here?" he would, of course, tell her if she didn't, but a quick test to see if she did remember any wouldn't do them any harm.</s> <\|message\|>BranchFall Interacting with: @skitts \| @sassy1085 --- It was a glorious day, at least. That was where the positives tended to end. Things along the borders were always quite iffy. Anything could happen. The next big war could be snowballed from a border incident, and most of them were. They were walls in which the clans were divided, entities of harsh justice that ensured there'd always be a contest to be had. Though, it wasn't an imperfect system. The clans could define their hunting grounds and could adapt to their own parts of the valley, differentiating them and creating an identity amongst the wild. A sense of order, contained in a small plot of land that rivalled the others. Those were the things to be glad of. Time and time again, Branchfall had wondered how life on the free market of preservation played out. Relying only on themselves was a hasty job, especially in the presence of four great clans and the dangers the valley had to offer. He pictured the rogues and the loners as being amongst the most headstrong and capable cats across the land, held back only by their stubbornness and lack of social wit. The perspective of borders was all too different from a cat who'd been on two sides of it. He'd seen one world and transitioned to another. That was a jarring experience. Life was different. The food was different. And whilst they all shared a conglomerate of ideas, religious beliefs and the all-encompassing Warrior Code, they were divided by a cultural significance and the great divider: thought. Branchfall had his own ideals pressed together into an ugly mess. And patrols like theirs were only the sharp reminders of the messes that had been made. The manifestations of an old world compared to the new; life before and the death of an old family member. He just hoped to StarClan that he wouldn't run into the cats he knew best. Whether they were family or just old friends, it was the last thing he needed. Because of this, Branch came across as rather hasty. He was at the front of the group, checking everything and sniffing around as if he were in a rush. At the least, he tried to be thorough but couldn't hold himself up to the standards of a careful and detailed patroller. The first fifty heartbeats seemed to go off quite nicely. There wasn't an issue nor anything more than the faint scents of old reports. The roughened familiarity of a wild creature that skirted their territory was barely noticeable anymore, and so Branch breathed easily knowing that it wasn't anything cumbersome. Eventually, he grew tired of the silence between the three. It was deafening, getting in the way of his anxiety. The last thing he wanted was to silently stumble into a BirchClan patrol in the dead of morn. "Hey, Flamepelt," he began in a mumble, "can you just start talking about something? Anything at all? New rumours, news or things of interest? I'd really appreciate it."</s> <\|message\|>Silverflight Mentions: @Ambra Silverflight watched the patrols begin to disappear from the camp and follow out her given orders for the early part of the day. She let her eyes continue to trail lazily around camp as the daily routines began to pick up speed. Several of the other warriors who had been up earlier were settling down to rest and share tongues or find some other way to make themselves useful around camp. She already began planning out the evening patrols in her head, giving Tinypaw a nod as the apprentice pulled something from the pile for herself and presumably Eelpond. The sun had burned off the mist that hung across the camp and now there was a warm glow cast across the camp and warming her pelt. She closed her eyes briefly and allowed the warmth to scare away the lingering doubts and darker thoughts that plagued the valley. She saw Eelpond slip from Shadestar's den and head back to the medicine cat den. Hopefully the two medicine cats would get something from Starclan. They had been uncomfortably silent given the terrible things that had stricken each and every clan. She watched Shadestar follow shortly after Eelpond, a contemplative look on his face slipping into worry. She hoped their leader wasn't taking too much onto his own shoulders with the killings. Starclan knew he couldn't do more than he already was. She hoped that the naming of a new apprentice and the show of clan unity would drive away at least some of his concerns. "Morning Shadestar," she meowed as he approached, "Everything alright with the journey to Moonbrook?" Tensions were high and if there was something that might prevent them from communing with Starclan things would only get worse. "Nothing more we need to concern ourselves with I hope." Mentions: @skitts Nightpaw nodded at Dawnpelt's suggestion, "Sounds good to me," he trotted behind her and Froststorm as they began to head out of camp; shaking the water droplets off of his pelt as they dripped off the reeds, "If Irisstar decides to start something it would be good for us to be nearby." He kept his ears pricked as they padded past the quiet bubbling of the streams that weaved their way into the nearby lake. He saw a faint flash of scales underneath the water, but he didn't leap after it. If they were going to be out for some time he'd rather keep his paws dry of the cold water. Maybe he'd try to catch fish on the way back if they were still swimming about. The thought of getting mud caked in between his toes wasn't the most pleasing, but he wouldn't pass up the opportunity for their return journey. "Are we allowed to hunt on our way to the Oak Dens?" he asked towards Dawnpelt. He hoped to hear the quiet scuffle of small paws on the dirt or the ruffle of feathers indicating birds pecking around for seeds on the ground, but the nearby area was fairly silent. The slowly rising sun warmed his dark pelt and would hopefully lure the underground dwelling critters out into the light. He could feel the uncertain tension that ran through camp and tried to not let it get to him too much, but when the older warriors were nervous it made it difficult not to feel the same. He shook his head to clear out the thoughts and focus on what they were doing. The clan needed food and there was no way that they were going to come back empty pawed.</s>	<\|message\|>Shadekit -> Shadepaw -> Shadefish -> Shadestar Shadestar MENTIONS: Silverflight --- Shadestar glanced upwards at the new approach, slowly chewing his trout. Silverflight was an admirable deputy, and there was a lot that he liked about her. For one, she was capable enough to carry out deputy duties, which seemed simple enough, but he's heard stories of deputies being rather snobby and lazy. Luckily for him, and the rest of MistClan, Silverflight was showing that she had great potential to be leader one day. "Oh hello, Silver," he settled for using her nickname for now, mostly because his mouth was half-full. Her next words brought only more dread upon him, and he struggled to keep his tail from lashing. "I'm sure that Eelpond and Tinypaw will be fine. If there's a reason why StarClan's upset with us, then they should be able to reach out to Tinypaw, instead."</s>
<\|description\|>Rentarou "Ren" Kusabe Age: 16 Origin: Tokyo Japan, 2019 Appearance: ________________________________________ Level: 1 Health Points: 3000 Mana: 280 General Stats: • Strength - 340 • Endurance - 300 • Intellegence - 560 • Agility - 900 • Dexterity - 700 • Luck - 7200 Acquired Skills: • Translator Level 1 - translate foreign language to user's mother tongue, and vice versa. • Appraisal Level 3 - grants user access to view a specific target's stats. Futher leveling this skill will reveal other details on any desired target. • Bow Mastery Level 5 - enable user to use bow weapon. Futher leveling up this skill will improve accuracy and target locking. ---- • Double Strafe Level 1 - shoots a double bolt at a single target to deal a sure critical hit with each arrow. ---- • Eagle Eye Level 1 - grants ability to see through things at a distance. Extra • Kaireth's Blessing: Online Shop - grants user access to online shopping. User can order anything from the original world through this skill by using Kairelith's currency. Any machine (ex. anything ran by electricity) bought from Online Shop will automatically be converted to a magical tool, thus, instead of electricity, the item will be operated entirely by the user's mana. Some items will have additional effect once used in Kairelith, say, food purchased from Online Shop would add extra stats to whoever eats it for specific span of time. ______________________________________ Personality: Ren is a downright nerd to the very core. He easily loses his sh*t to anything game or anime related, especially lolis and cat ears. Sometimes, he can be pretty intense, but most times he is composed and always calculating, something he developed by playing games. Weak willed, but if someone he really cares about is in trouble, he'll definitely stick a neck out for that person without question. If anything, being reincarnated to a new world is kind of dream come true to him. It means he could start over a life he hasnt lived in the original world. He seems to be pretty enthusiastic about new discoveries, but a little wary for his own good. Short Background: Ren was a typical hikikomori — isolating himself from society and spending all his time in his room playing video games, all while maintaining little to no relationships outside. The only thing that probably connects him to the real world was the internet, and the occational visit to the convenient store. So when a game buddy invited him to attend Comiket, he instantly refuses, saying that he wouldn't last a minute out there — talk about a total shut in. But when he he heard that Mikumin, an idol he's been following for a while, is attending the event, he knew he had to make a big decision. Finally, at the day of the event, after much thought, Ren decided to go. There were so many people, more than he could have anticipated. Everything seems to be going well for him. When Mikumin went up on stage, as if queue, roars of cheers errupted from the crowd and waves of bodies cramped together began to sway at each note. Ren felt suffocated yet the experience was, to an extent, euphoric. He never felt so happy in his life. After the final set, something unexpected happened, Mikumin started to address the crowd and announced that she would like to acknowledge the presense of some Rentarou Kusabe among the sea of people. At first, Ren didn't believe what he heard, but then, his buddy began to nudge at him with a big grin on his face. He knew then he's up to something. Mikumin asked Ren to come up on stage, spotlight beaming down on him. Realizing the idol he admired so much has acknowledged his existence and even asked to join her up on that stage is too much for a complete shut in like him, not to mention the sheer pressure of becoming the center of attention for almost a hundred thousand people around him. The overwhelming feeling has spread through his entire being like a wild fire. The last thing he remembered that day was the floor giving away beneath him, the swirling lights, and then complete darkness. The next thing he knew is him waking up in vast plain with 3 other kids just as confuse as him. ________________________________________ Other: Ren's all time favorite game is pacman.</s> <\|message\|>Li Zhao 「李昭」 Li Zhao 「李昭」 Li Zhao 「李昭」 _____________________ _____________________ Location: Unknown, Froviel Empire Interacting With: Everyone Lv. 2 ❤ ┅┅┅┅┅ ┅┅┅┅┅ ┅┅┅┅┅ ┅┅┅┅┅_45000 ✦ ┅┅┅┅┅ ┅┅┅┅┅ ┅┅┅┅┅ ┅┅┅┅┅___800 STR 4500__\|__END 4500__\|__INT 1600__\|__AGL 1000__\|__DEX 400__\|__LCK 1000__ --- Zhao waded through the rising tide of kobolds, but no matter how many she slashed to pieces it felt like she was fighting the sea. She was so engrossed in hacking away at the relentless beasts, she almost didn't hear Ren announce his plans. There was that voice again, distracting her. She had no idea what it was, but there was no time to think about it. Her eyes flared with mana as she cast a glance in Ren's direction, and watched as his arrow nailed the Kobold Lord's foot to the ground. It seemed to move in slow motion as her eyes traced its path through the air. Meanwhile, the kobolds around her didn't miss the opening. They had given up trying to wound her, and instead clung to her legs and feet in a desperate attempt to slow her down. Realizing she had an opportunity to take on the monster directly, she tried jumping out of their grasp. The moment she kicked off the ground, she soared several meters into air and let out a panicked yelp. Her heart hammered in her chest as the ground fell away. She may have trained relentlessly to overcome her fear of battle, but she was still terrified of heights. She sailed over the kobold lord missing her mark, and the ground swelled toward her with increasing speed. Another helpless cry escaped her as she fell hard against the ground. Zhao reminded herself that she was much sturdier than before, and quickly leaped to her feet. At least she hadn't let go of her sword. When she looked back at the kobold lord, she noticed he was completely encased in ice. "One more try..." She looked across the battlefield at the other girl (@ERode) who had been fighting alongside her. "Aim for its head! We may not get another chance!" She shouted desperately. Zhao on the other hand had even more distance to cover than before. She wound herself into a tight stance, power building in her legs. The earth heaved beneath her feet as she kicked off the ground, and flew overhead once more. Twisting mid-air, she pointed her blade downward, aiming to strike its heart even as her own tried to leap out of her chest.</s> <\|message\|>Ying Yue Geng The bigger dogman, though bigger and better-armed, wasn't much of a threat at all, if only a couple arrows could take off a limb. Though it had some monstrous ability to grow back parts of its body, it was the novel sorcery of a weakling, undeserving of remark nor envy. What could such a creature do, after all, when it was forced to kneel from the weight of ice coating its body, from the arrows that pinned it to the ground? Nothing, hm? An ephemeral image upon the blood-drenched fields, Ying Yue continued to carve through flesh and bone, scarlet petals bursting as she passed. Her battle-sister leapt on ahead, a cloud of dust and an explosion of dirt in her wake as she sailed over the heads of the dogmen to engage their champion directly. A pincer attack? Well, there wasn't any real distinction to be earned through slaying a beast so frail; all the bladedancer wanted was to try out the monster's weapon. Discarding her sword, which had been reduced to a nicked and scraped mess after chopping through dozens, if not hundreds of dogmen, she closed in on the champion as well, the ice now having covered its body entirely. There would be no saving it from what came next. Using Ren's arrows as footholds, Ying Yue leapt up and grabbed the haft of the dogman's tomahawk with one hand. Knowledge, akin to epiphany and enlightenment, struck her. She could kill with this, and more than that, she could take this. With the momentum of her leap, she wrenched the weapon out of the monster's grasp, its frozen fingers shattering at the impact, and landed on its still-frosty arm. It would thaw in time; already, its eyes were moving frantically beneath the crystalline ice. But it was too late. Its heart was taken, and its head will soon follow. With the gravitas of an executioner tasked with the disposal of a common criminal, Ying Yue swung her tomahawk and removed its head.</s> <\|message\|>Erika Mae Wayne Location: Unknown, Froviel Empire Interating with: Everyone at the moment Erika bounced around the area, cutting through the small kobolds as she rushed towards the kobold lord. She matched the speed at which the two Chinese women proceeded towards the monster. She watched as arrows zipped through the kobold lord and she grinned as they hit. Her grin faltered when the flesh began to grow back as if nothing happened. Regeneration, was it? That's... not good. She only had a dagger with her but if they could find a weak spot- The archer called for all of them to attack together. It was then followed up by the dude with the two companions calling out that the kobold lord being frozen would increase their damage output. She quickly rushed forward - ahead of the two Chinese women and circled around the kobold lord who was being pelted with arrows. The enemy became frozen soon enough after a couple of hits from the mage. One aimed for the heart. Another aimed for the head. Leave something for someone with a dagger... She thought harmlessly to herself as she leaped onto the kobold lord's shoulder and driving her dagger into the kobold's body alongside the other two. She ducked her head so that she wouldn't get hit by the chord woman's strike and get decapitated alongside the kobold lord. That was the last thing she wanted to happen.</s>	<\|message\|>Rentarou "Ren" Kusabe Ren watched in awe at the flurry of attacks the other kids has started to throw at the Kobold Lord. The two Asian girls lead the charge, each taking turns in landing a direct hit at the monster. The kid with weird puppets started to cast ice magic at it, encasing the Kobold Lord in a gigantic sheet of ice, making the monster unable to move. The girl with the dagger, on the other hand, started to make her way towards the Kobold Lord's back waiting for an opportunity to strike. "At this point, it's regenerating ability should have a hard time keeping up with the damage it's taking." Ren thought, sending one arrow towards a Kobold Underling charging towards the puppet guy, the arrow connected, which immediately killed the target, "Damn, I'm not bad at this either." He thought, feeling a little proud of his skills. "Trigger Slash!" Shouted the old Knight right beside Ren. A bluish light suddenly shot from the Knight's sword, cutting 3 Kobold Underlings in front of him. "Focus now, lad! You don't want to get bitten by any of these buggers!" "U-um, y-yes sir!" Ren's completely forgotten about him. The old Knight looked battered. His once shiny armour, now covered in dirt and blood, he even lost his helmet. Ren noticed all the injured Knights are now huddled together in one place, and around them are piles of dead Kobold bodies. "Did he do all this by himself?" Ren thought admiring the old Knight's work, "He's been protecting the injured ones all this time." For some reason, Ren's first opinion about the Knight is starting to change. ________________________________________ The remaining Knights that can fight has flocked over to the 2 foreigners who lead the charge of the attack. The Knight with a huge shield took the vanguard while the Priestess supporting the rear. "Shields! Divert its attention from the Casters!" Shouted the Knight, raising his shield at the ready. "Support the foreigners at all cost!" The remaining Casters fall in line behind the Knights and started to chant. "Lesser Blessing!" "Lesser Protection Energy!" "Arcana Boost!" "Mana Essence!" "Penetrate Up!" "Lesser Acceleration!" "Lesser Healing!" Each kid glowed a different colour at the mention of the spells, each raising their stats one after the other. Once the Caster's done with the support spells, they started chanting offensive spells directed at the monster. A wide volley of spells began to fill the sky — ice, fire, water, light, and more others. ________________________________________ Ren felt his body respond to the spells that were casted on him. He can feel a new surge of energy welling within him, a tingling feeling right in his stomach. He can feel his strength and speed increased by a fraction, his senses heightened, everything from a mile away seems so much clearer. "So this is a buff spell, huh? Alright, let's try this." Ren took an arrow from his quiver. He can almost feel every fiber in the bow string tighten as he pulled, and for some reason Ren can tell which way the wind is blowing, and how strong it is. He is more focused now. "The chest. Right where the heart is." Ren breathed slowly. It almost seems like he gained binoculars with x-ray vision, he can clearly pinpoint where the monster's vital points are from the distance. "And then... Shoot." With a loud 'ffwisssh", the arrow sailed through the air with so much force it left a streak of black line mid-air, ravaging everything it passes through. After a heart beat, the arrow connected to its target with a loud crack. It pierced right through the Kobold Lord's chest, leaving a gapping hole from where it hit. The others started to do the same — direct hit towards the chest and the head. At this point, there was no time to regenerate its lost parts. The Kobold Lord let out a final howl of despair, shuddered and then fell face first into the ground. The Knights all cheered in excitement, even those injured ones. Ren heard the old Knight say thanks to the gods, and then gave Ren a reapproving smile. "It's finally over?" Ren asked out loud, the thought of them defeating a monster, much less a boss level, hasnt sinked in yet. "Indeed, lad. Indeed." The old Knight reassured him.</s>
<\|description\|>Erika Mae Wayne Age: 17 Origin: Vancouver, Canada [2012] ________________________________________ Level: 1 Health Points: 9850 Mana: 233 General Stats: • Strength - 1279 • Endurance - 985 • Intellegence - 466 • Agility - 1368 • Dexterity - 1325 • Luck - 699 Acquired Skills: • Translator Level 1 - translate foreign language to the user's mother tongue, and vice versa. • Dagger Mastery Level 7 - this gives the user the ability to use daggers and knives. Further leveling this up would allow the user to be more precise and deadly with their weapon. • Acrobatics Level 5 - this gives the user the ability to traverse through terrain without much trouble. Further leveling this up would allow the user to be able to traverse more and more impossible terrain as a shortcut or to evade attacks. Extra • Kaireth's Blessing: Gluttony - if user have this skill, leveling up would be impossible. User progress will be measured by Gluttony skill. By consuming monsters, or world items, user will gain partial stats from that target (original host parameter / 2 = gained stats). As an example, after user consumed a level 1 Slime with stats of Str 13, Edr 7, Int 4, Agi 10, Dex 5, Luk 8, he will receive +6.5 Str, +3.5 Edr, +2 Int, +5 Agi, +2.5 Dex, +4 Luk. Further leveling up this skill will unlock sub-skill Assimilation, allowing user to inherit some skill or attributes from consumed monsters/items. ______________________________________ Personality: Erika is a rather bubbly young woman - who had dreams and aspirations. She is a hard worker and would do everything in her power to get where she needs to be. She is a social butterfly and has networked plenty despite her young age. She loves capturing the beauty of the world - to stop time and space itself and place it into a photograph. This has been and will always be her passion. She has an adventurous spirit. She may not be academically inclined in any way shape or form - but she has a lot of street smarts. She is, however, very flighty. Aside from photography, she doesn't stick to anything. She has many friends, but none of them who really knows her for her. She comes and goes like the wind and people have come to accept her for that. This new world was a whiplash to her - but it was something new to explore. She looks forward to what will happen then. Short Background: Erika came from a rather well-off family so she never really had any worries about spending money or any such things. She loves to live life one day at a time and her love for photography had started when she was young and her father had gifted him a small camera when they visited the zoo. Ever since then, she always kept herself up to date with the latest cameras. She and her family traveled to other countries during every vacation and she always comes back with a new set of photos to showcase with her friends. A lot of people were amazed by these and Erika thrived in the attention they had given her pictures. She, too, find all of these very beautiful. One day, however, as she and her family were heading to Singapore - the plane began to malfunction. Smoke filled the cabin and the oxygen masks started coming down. Everyone was panicking and she grabbed the mask and her parents were telling her that everything would be fine. The plane descended way too quickly. She turned to look at the window and the water was coming up fast. Crash. She opened her eyes to see three other kids around her - just as confused as she was. ________________________________________ Other: -> Erika ran a photography blog before her death. It was well known around the photographer's circles and one of her regrets was leaving it behind. -> Erika was in a relationship with someone during the time that she died. She misses her dearly.</s> <\|message\|>Wrath Sam and Friends Sam gave a grin to his compatriots as they continued their assault upon the lord. The others who were teleported with him seemed to have enhanced abilities. One of his companions even played along with him. He moved in towards the foe with Greed and Wrath defending him against the horde of lesser kobolds. As he did though, one of the others revealed something irritating. Regeneration. "Well, that's just cheating..." he remarked, preparing a Ray, "Why don't you just cool off! He started blasting the Kobold Lord with rays of frost, however the damage done was being healed by the pesky regeneration. What wasn't being stopped was a layer of frost beginning to form around the beast. On the tenth or so shot, he was astonished as the kobold became entirely encased in ice, only to be broken out when someone else hit him. The result of which seemed to do far more damage. "Cool, the beams can freeze people!" Greed grinned, as he simultaneously shanked and pickpocketed a kobold trying to get near Sam. Wrath also silently noted his astonishment, though was preoccupied with his kobolds. For some reason (his shitty Luck) the Kobolds were attracted to him over his companions. Sam himself grinned, this had much potential. "HIT HIM WHEN HE'S FROZEN FOR EXTRA DAMAGE!" he yelled to the others, continuing to blast the big bastard.</s> <\|message\|>Li Zhao 「李昭」 Li Zhao 「李昭」 Li Zhao 「李昭」 _____________________ _____________________ Location: Unknown, Froviel Empire Interacting With: Everyone Lv. 2 ❤ ┅┅┅┅┅ ┅┅┅┅┅ ┅┅┅┅┅ ┅┅┅┅┅_45000 ✦ ┅┅┅┅┅ ┅┅┅┅┅ ┅┅┅┅┅ ┅┅┅┅┅___800 STR 4500__\|__END 4500__\|__INT 1600__\|__AGL 1000__\|__DEX 400__\|__LCK 1000__ --- Zhao waded through the rising tide of kobolds, but no matter how many she slashed to pieces it felt like she was fighting the sea. She was so engrossed in hacking away at the relentless beasts, she almost didn't hear Ren announce his plans. There was that voice again, distracting her. She had no idea what it was, but there was no time to think about it. Her eyes flared with mana as she cast a glance in Ren's direction, and watched as his arrow nailed the Kobold Lord's foot to the ground. It seemed to move in slow motion as her eyes traced its path through the air. Meanwhile, the kobolds around her didn't miss the opening. They had given up trying to wound her, and instead clung to her legs and feet in a desperate attempt to slow her down. Realizing she had an opportunity to take on the monster directly, she tried jumping out of their grasp. The moment she kicked off the ground, she soared several meters into air and let out a panicked yelp. Her heart hammered in her chest as the ground fell away. She may have trained relentlessly to overcome her fear of battle, but she was still terrified of heights. She sailed over the kobold lord missing her mark, and the ground swelled toward her with increasing speed. Another helpless cry escaped her as she fell hard against the ground. Zhao reminded herself that she was much sturdier than before, and quickly leaped to her feet. At least she hadn't let go of her sword. When she looked back at the kobold lord, she noticed he was completely encased in ice. "One more try..." She looked across the battlefield at the other girl (@ERode) who had been fighting alongside her. "Aim for its head! We may not get another chance!" She shouted desperately. Zhao on the other hand had even more distance to cover than before. She wound herself into a tight stance, power building in her legs. The earth heaved beneath her feet as she kicked off the ground, and flew overhead once more. Twisting mid-air, she pointed her blade downward, aiming to strike its heart even as her own tried to leap out of her chest.</s> <\|message\|>Ying Yue Geng The bigger dogman, though bigger and better-armed, wasn't much of a threat at all, if only a couple arrows could take off a limb. Though it had some monstrous ability to grow back parts of its body, it was the novel sorcery of a weakling, undeserving of remark nor envy. What could such a creature do, after all, when it was forced to kneel from the weight of ice coating its body, from the arrows that pinned it to the ground? Nothing, hm? An ephemeral image upon the blood-drenched fields, Ying Yue continued to carve through flesh and bone, scarlet petals bursting as she passed. Her battle-sister leapt on ahead, a cloud of dust and an explosion of dirt in her wake as she sailed over the heads of the dogmen to engage their champion directly. A pincer attack? Well, there wasn't any real distinction to be earned through slaying a beast so frail; all the bladedancer wanted was to try out the monster's weapon. Discarding her sword, which had been reduced to a nicked and scraped mess after chopping through dozens, if not hundreds of dogmen, she closed in on the champion as well, the ice now having covered its body entirely. There would be no saving it from what came next. Using Ren's arrows as footholds, Ying Yue leapt up and grabbed the haft of the dogman's tomahawk with one hand. Knowledge, akin to epiphany and enlightenment, struck her. She could kill with this, and more than that, she could take this. With the momentum of her leap, she wrenched the weapon out of the monster's grasp, its frozen fingers shattering at the impact, and landed on its still-frosty arm. It would thaw in time; already, its eyes were moving frantically beneath the crystalline ice. But it was too late. Its heart was taken, and its head will soon follow. With the gravitas of an executioner tasked with the disposal of a common criminal, Ying Yue swung her tomahawk and removed its head.</s>	<\|message\|>Erika Mae Wayne Location: Unknown, Froviel Empire Interating with: Everyone at the moment Erika bounced around the area, cutting through the small kobolds as she rushed towards the kobold lord. She matched the speed at which the two Chinese women proceeded towards the monster. She watched as arrows zipped through the kobold lord and she grinned as they hit. Her grin faltered when the flesh began to grow back as if nothing happened. Regeneration, was it? That's... not good. She only had a dagger with her but if they could find a weak spot- The archer called for all of them to attack together. It was then followed up by the dude with the two companions calling out that the kobold lord being frozen would increase their damage output. She quickly rushed forward - ahead of the two Chinese women and circled around the kobold lord who was being pelted with arrows. The enemy became frozen soon enough after a couple of hits from the mage. One aimed for the heart. Another aimed for the head. Leave something for someone with a dagger... She thought harmlessly to herself as she leaped onto the kobold lord's shoulder and driving her dagger into the kobold's body alongside the other two. She ducked her head so that she wouldn't get hit by the chord woman's strike and get decapitated alongside the kobold lord. That was the last thing she wanted to happen.</s>
<\|description\|>Ying Yue Geng 17 y/o \| Fujian, China. 1643 Level 10 STR 1500 \| END 750 \| INT 1500 \| AGI 3000 \| DEX 2250 \| LCK 1000 Acquired Skills Translator LVL 1 Enables understanding of all languages. Noble Pedigree LVL 1 Exudes an aura of charisma and authority befitting one of noble birth. Martial Intuition LVL 4 Quickens reflexes when in danger and grants instinctual understanding of other individuals' combative capabilities. One Hit Kill LVL 1 Increase critical hit chance and damage dealt on first attack upon an individual. Extra Skills Kaireth's Blessing: All Weapon Mastery LVL 10 Enables user to wield all types of weapon at its 100% potential regardless of mastery. Further leveling up this skill will unlock a sub-skill Weapon Copy, allowing the user to make a replica of any weapon they come in to contact with. Personality There is a haughtiness that exudes out from Ying Yue, a condescension that comes to her as natural as breathing. Her world, after all, was one of conflict and privilege, where the lives of the lesser are traded for prosperity and monuments. But rather than being malicious, the child is simply ignorant, having lived her entire life in her father's estate, her only moments of freedom found in visiting her betrothed's own estate. Her points of contact were her family and her servants, the former to be respected, the latter to be commanded, and, in one way or the other, Ying Yue remains emotionally stunted and repressed. But, sheltered, ignorant, and tactless as she is, something bright still blazes within her, fed by the stories written down upon the scrolls she's had to smuggle into her private study. A heart of that rages against injustice, a heart that fights for the powerless. The heart of a naïve child, who wishes to make the world a better place with nothing more than their fist and their spirit. Just like the heroes of yore. Just like a fantasy dreamt up in a fever. Short Backstory The world had changed, continues to change, and will change in the future, but from her birth to her sudden death, Ying Yue's life saw little of it. The eldest daughter of a middling aristocrat, her beautiful mahogany eyes were the only thing that elevated her above her siblings, and she was cared for like a doll in return. Feet bound to fit tiny, dainty slippers, watched and supervised day and night to prevent any accidents that would leave a mark, Ying Yue lived in isolation, her strange loneliness broken only when she became old enough to be betrothed, her aristocratic boredom dispersed only by the books she snuck out from a servant's room. Trashy, tasteless, violent books for the proles, sensational and with no educative value, but entertaining books nonetheless. She drowned in those stories, filling her mind with stupid thoughts and dreams, fantasies of a world beyond the walls of her family's estate, away from the designs of her ambitious father and her distant mother. Mere phantasms, flights of imagination to distract her from the life that continued barreling thoughtlessly towards her. One hazy, summer day, feverish and parched, Ying Yue dreamed of a world where she could be free and she never woke up again.</s> <\|message\|>Sam Moore / The Puppeteer Sam and Friends Sam slicked back his hair and pulled his goggles over his eyes. The lenses were made of a green glass that seemed to sparkle in the light. Giving a whistle, Greed immediately stopped stealing from the distracted and dying soldiers and rushed back to the Puppeteer's side. He actually had nicked a couple of knives that looked like swords in his diminutive paws. "Ladies and gentlemen, for the first time in this world, it's the Puppeteer's Pandemonium Pantomine, featuring my good friends Greed and Wrath. It's time to get things started..." As if moving to an invisible beat, the puppet's and their master began to dance through the kobolds, causing chaos as they proceeded to kill them with various slapstick methods. There was an unfortunate lack of props, but Kobolds found themselves sliding, tripping, and even getting into fights with each other, as the Puppeteer and his companions continued their dance. The Puppeteer paused for a moment to unpack that. So his friends were now Golems, whatever those were, and could gain skills by repetitive actions. Which would mean that the Golemancy skill- -okay, that skill brought the dynamite duo to life. Eh, no point thinking too hard right now, this is the middle of combat. And things had certainly shifted in the Kobolds favour, as an even uglier prick called the Kobold Lord had appeared. Sam turned to the others: "Time for the audience participation part of our show... can I get any volunteers?"</s> <\|message\|>Li Zhao 「李昭」 Li Zhao Location: Unknown, Froviel Empire Interacting With: Everyone --- The sound and fury of blades and shields clashing was all too familiar. Surveying the battle, Zhao could plainly see that the knights were being overwhelmed. The monsters seemed weak enough, in fact, dozens had been dispatched by the others that arrived with her. Her mistake was in overestimating the knights' strength. She knew her knowledge of this world was lacking, but watching the chaos made the shame burrow even deeper. She couldn't stand idle any longer, regardless of how much she wanted to protect the child next to her. @Sedjwick Fwish~ A twinge of pressure and a sharp, but mild pain throbbed at her thigh. Looking down, she noticed a small tear in her ceremonial dress and a stray arrow settling in the dirt at her feet. She stretched the fabric of her dress to inspect for wounds, but found none. There was only a small, red blemish on her skin where the arrow had struck her. Bewildered, she retrieved the arrow and held it before her. "It can't be..." She pressed her thumb against the sharpened tip of the arrowhead, but barely felt any pain at all. She pressed harder, wondering how much it would take for the arrow to break her skin, but the arrowhead broke off instead. The tip didn't cut her at all. Then she realized it. This was her blessing. A terrible howl sundered the air, ripping at Zhao's ears. Her eyes searched for the source, cutting through the dust in the air and found it: a grotesque creature, more mongrel than man, standing head and shoulders taller than any of the other kobolds. The morale of the knights seemed to hit rock bottom at the mention of a "Kobold Lord." She turned to Milo. "I'm sorry, but we won't make it out of this alive, if I don't help them. I promise I'll come back." Zhao sprinted towards the frontline, scavenging a sword from one of the fallen knights along the way. A two kobolds lunged at her as she drew near. They both fell to the ground in two bloody chunks as she cut them apart with her blade. She felt no resistance at all, it was like the kobold were made of air. Another one tried to ambush her, but she jabbed at it with a snapkick. It was like crushing eggshells as her foot connected with its chest. The kobold's body caved inward, and it let out a deathly wail as it flew several meters into the air and landed far out of sight. Interesting. Finding a gap in the front line, she charged through and overrunning any kobold that got in her way. She used the bare skin of her arm to block the rending claws and crushing bites, but all they did was tear at her clothes. Even if she could cut through them effortlessly, it did little to control their numbers. Dozens more were still flooding in. She shouted at the archer (Ren, @Travesty) she was watching earlier. "Hey you! Aim at the Kobold Lord! If we can kill their leader, these beasts may retreat." She turned to the knights on either side of her. "Close in the ranks behind me, I'm going to try drawing their attention away from you all." Zhao was no master swordswoman but no matter how imperfect her technique, her blade cleaved through any creature it cut. The sword felt so light in her hands, like holding a feather. Making wide swings, she began carving a path into the enemy vanguard while shouting and cursing them to draw their attention.</s>	<\|message\|>Ying Yue Geng Chaotic emotions, fear, anger, despair, suffused the trodden fields just as thickly as viscera and offal of men and monsters alike. They cried and they roared, stronger warriors falling against greater numbers, even as their leader tried what he could to bolster morale. And yet, even in this seething cauldron of conflict, Ying Yue danced unconcerned. Others may die, but she was above such paltry terrors, not even the blood of her foes having stained her form. The rope, once red with rich dyes, was now heavy with the lives it had taken, striking with ever-increasing force. One of the warriors called out towards her, and she turned to spare a smile. Some of them were worth keeping around, at least. The dead man's attitude didn't drip down into his men. An arrow whistled past, and her eyes followed as it practically vaporized three other dogmen. Her eyes shone. Let's try that. Fortunately, with the lines having been broken, there were plenty of dead archers for her to borrow from. Snatching up a quiver and a longbow, Ying Yue rolled under the swing of one kobold, hopped over the lunge of another kobold, and let out a breath. There it was again, that deathly certainty that told her that she could kill with this. The lady nocked three arrows, noted both the groan of the wood and the relative ease of her pull, and fired. A roar of wind, and the area right in front of her cleared up in an instant. She smiled, fired five more times, then frowned. Powerful, but boring. The bow was discarded without another thought, and Ying Yue pulled a sword out of the grasp of a headless knight instead. An artless construction, nothing like the weapons of yore, but the steel had been well-maintained. It sang as she flourished it, and thrummed when she turned towards the largest of the dogmen. "Do not fall to your knees so readily, woman," Ying Yue chided, mahogany gaze sliding sideways onto the priestess. "It would be pitiful if so few remain to attend your comrade's funeral." Already, her compatriot was leading a charge through the horde towards the big dogman, and Ying Yue ran to follow, a warrior's sword slipping through flesh and bone with such ease that the monsters only fell apart two seconds after she had passed. Soon, she was at the vanguard with Zhao, a wider smile on her face at the hilarity of the vulgarities that the woman spewed. Her gaze, however, was set solely on the big dogman's tomahawks. Let's try that.</s>
<\|description\|>Ying Yue Geng 17 y/o \| Fujian, China. 1643 Level 10 STR 1500 \| END 750 \| INT 1500 \| AGI 3000 \| DEX 2250 \| LCK 1000 Acquired Skills Translator LVL 1 Enables understanding of all languages. Noble Pedigree LVL 1 Exudes an aura of charisma and authority befitting one of noble birth. Martial Intuition LVL 4 Quickens reflexes when in danger and grants instinctual understanding of other individuals' combative capabilities. One Hit Kill LVL 1 Increase critical hit chance and damage dealt on first attack upon an individual. Extra Skills Kaireth's Blessing: All Weapon Mastery LVL 10 Enables user to wield all types of weapon at its 100% potential regardless of mastery. Further leveling up this skill will unlock a sub-skill Weapon Copy, allowing the user to make a replica of any weapon they come in to contact with. Personality There is a haughtiness that exudes out from Ying Yue, a condescension that comes to her as natural as breathing. Her world, after all, was one of conflict and privilege, where the lives of the lesser are traded for prosperity and monuments. But rather than being malicious, the child is simply ignorant, having lived her entire life in her father's estate, her only moments of freedom found in visiting her betrothed's own estate. Her points of contact were her family and her servants, the former to be respected, the latter to be commanded, and, in one way or the other, Ying Yue remains emotionally stunted and repressed. But, sheltered, ignorant, and tactless as she is, something bright still blazes within her, fed by the stories written down upon the scrolls she's had to smuggle into her private study. A heart of that rages against injustice, a heart that fights for the powerless. The heart of a naïve child, who wishes to make the world a better place with nothing more than their fist and their spirit. Just like the heroes of yore. Just like a fantasy dreamt up in a fever. Short Backstory The world had changed, continues to change, and will change in the future, but from her birth to her sudden death, Ying Yue's life saw little of it. The eldest daughter of a middling aristocrat, her beautiful mahogany eyes were the only thing that elevated her above her siblings, and she was cared for like a doll in return. Feet bound to fit tiny, dainty slippers, watched and supervised day and night to prevent any accidents that would leave a mark, Ying Yue lived in isolation, her strange loneliness broken only when she became old enough to be betrothed, her aristocratic boredom dispersed only by the books she snuck out from a servant's room. Trashy, tasteless, violent books for the proles, sensational and with no educative value, but entertaining books nonetheless. She drowned in those stories, filling her mind with stupid thoughts and dreams, fantasies of a world beyond the walls of her family's estate, away from the designs of her ambitious father and her distant mother. Mere phantasms, flights of imagination to distract her from the life that continued barreling thoughtlessly towards her. One hazy, summer day, feverish and parched, Ying Yue dreamed of a world where she could be free and she never woke up again.</s> <\|message\|>Ying Yue Geng The bigger dogman, though bigger and better-armed, wasn't much of a threat at all, if only a couple arrows could take off a limb. Though it had some monstrous ability to grow back parts of its body, it was the novel sorcery of a weakling, undeserving of remark nor envy. What could such a creature do, after all, when it was forced to kneel from the weight of ice coating its body, from the arrows that pinned it to the ground? Nothing, hm? An ephemeral image upon the blood-drenched fields, Ying Yue continued to carve through flesh and bone, scarlet petals bursting as she passed. Her battle-sister leapt on ahead, a cloud of dust and an explosion of dirt in her wake as she sailed over the heads of the dogmen to engage their champion directly. A pincer attack? Well, there wasn't any real distinction to be earned through slaying a beast so frail; all the bladedancer wanted was to try out the monster's weapon. Discarding her sword, which had been reduced to a nicked and scraped mess after chopping through dozens, if not hundreds of dogmen, she closed in on the champion as well, the ice now having covered its body entirely. There would be no saving it from what came next. Using Ren's arrows as footholds, Ying Yue leapt up and grabbed the haft of the dogman's tomahawk with one hand. Knowledge, akin to epiphany and enlightenment, struck her. She could kill with this, and more than that, she could take this. With the momentum of her leap, she wrenched the weapon out of the monster's grasp, its frozen fingers shattering at the impact, and landed on its still-frosty arm. It would thaw in time; already, its eyes were moving frantically beneath the crystalline ice. But it was too late. Its heart was taken, and its head will soon follow. With the gravitas of an executioner tasked with the disposal of a common criminal, Ying Yue swung her tomahawk and removed its head.</s> <\|message\|>Erika Mae Wayne Location: Unknown, Froviel Empire Interating with: Everyone at the moment Erika bounced around the area, cutting through the small kobolds as she rushed towards the kobold lord. She matched the speed at which the two Chinese women proceeded towards the monster. She watched as arrows zipped through the kobold lord and she grinned as they hit. Her grin faltered when the flesh began to grow back as if nothing happened. Regeneration, was it? That's... not good. She only had a dagger with her but if they could find a weak spot- The archer called for all of them to attack together. It was then followed up by the dude with the two companions calling out that the kobold lord being frozen would increase their damage output. She quickly rushed forward - ahead of the two Chinese women and circled around the kobold lord who was being pelted with arrows. The enemy became frozen soon enough after a couple of hits from the mage. One aimed for the heart. Another aimed for the head. Leave something for someone with a dagger... She thought harmlessly to herself as she leaped onto the kobold lord's shoulder and driving her dagger into the kobold's body alongside the other two. She ducked her head so that she wouldn't get hit by the chord woman's strike and get decapitated alongside the kobold lord. That was the last thing she wanted to happen.</s> <\|message\|>Rentarou "Ren" Kusabe Rentarou "Ren" Kusabe Ren watched in awe at the flurry of attacks the other kids has started to throw at the Kobold Lord. The two Asian girls lead the charge, each taking turns in landing a direct hit at the monster. The kid with weird puppets started to cast ice magic at it, encasing the Kobold Lord in a gigantic sheet of ice, making the monster unable to move. The girl with the dagger, on the other hand, started to make her way towards the Kobold Lord's back waiting for an opportunity to strike. "At this point, it's regenerating ability should have a hard time keeping up with the damage it's taking." Ren thought, sending one arrow towards a Kobold Underling charging towards the puppet guy, the arrow connected, which immediately killed the target, "Damn, I'm not bad at this either." He thought, feeling a little proud of his skills. "Trigger Slash!" Shouted the old Knight right beside Ren. A bluish light suddenly shot from the Knight's sword, cutting 3 Kobold Underlings in front of him. "Focus now, lad! You don't want to get bitten by any of these buggers!" "U-um, y-yes sir!" Ren's completely forgotten about him. The old Knight looked battered. His once shiny armour, now covered in dirt and blood, he even lost his helmet. Ren noticed all the injured Knights are now huddled together in one place, and around them are piles of dead Kobold bodies. "Did he do all this by himself?" Ren thought admiring the old Knight's work, "He's been protecting the injured ones all this time." For some reason, Ren's first opinion about the Knight is starting to change. ________________________________________ The remaining Knights that can fight has flocked over to the 2 foreigners who lead the charge of the attack. The Knight with a huge shield took the vanguard while the Priestess supporting the rear. "Shields! Divert its attention from the Casters!" Shouted the Knight, raising his shield at the ready. "Support the foreigners at all cost!" The remaining Casters fall in line behind the Knights and started to chant. "Lesser Blessing!" "Lesser Protection Energy!" "Arcana Boost!" "Mana Essence!" "Penetrate Up!" "Lesser Acceleration!" "Lesser Healing!" Each kid glowed a different colour at the mention of the spells, each raising their stats one after the other. Once the Caster's done with the support spells, they started chanting offensive spells directed at the monster. A wide volley of spells began to fill the sky — ice, fire, water, light, and more others. ________________________________________ Ren felt his body respond to the spells that were casted on him. He can feel a new surge of energy welling within him, a tingling feeling right in his stomach. He can feel his strength and speed increased by a fraction, his senses heightened, everything from a mile away seems so much clearer. "So this is a buff spell, huh? Alright, let's try this." Ren took an arrow from his quiver. He can almost feel every fiber in the bow string tighten as he pulled, and for some reason Ren can tell which way the wind is blowing, and how strong it is. He is more focused now. "The chest. Right where the heart is." Ren breathed slowly. It almost seems like he gained binoculars with x-ray vision, he can clearly pinpoint where the monster's vital points are from the distance. "And then... Shoot." With a loud 'ffwisssh", the arrow sailed through the air with so much force it left a streak of black line mid-air, ravaging everything it passes through. After a heart beat, the arrow connected to its target with a loud crack. It pierced right through the Kobold Lord's chest, leaving a gapping hole from where it hit. The others started to do the same — direct hit towards the chest and the head. At this point, there was no time to regenerate its lost parts. The Kobold Lord let out a final howl of despair, shuddered and then fell face first into the ground. The Knights all cheered in excitement, even those injured ones. Ren heard the old Knight say thanks to the gods, and then gave Ren a reapproving smile. "It's finally over?" Ren asked out loud, the thought of them defeating a monster, much less a boss level, hasnt sinked in yet. "Indeed, lad. Indeed." The old Knight reassured him.</s> <\|message\|>Wrath Sam and Friends Sam collapsed onto his butt as he watched the Kobold Lord meet his end. All around, the kobolds were fleeing like headless chickens as their leader was now gone. He felt winded by the exertion, like he had just ran a marathon. Yet, as he sat there he could already feel the warm chill reterning to him. Around him, he watched the others as they reacted to the death of the monster. Lust would definitely object to them bismirching the good name of wolves... if she wasn't stalking Wrath or trying to trottle Greed. And again, that strange voice from nowhere is telling him random stuff. Weird. --- Greed grinned as he stabbed the last brave kobold attacking him, and turned around to Wrath. "Man, that fight was hard. I almost broke a sweat there." Wrath said nothing. His left eye socket had a crude knife stuck in it, his body was covered in wounds, and he was bathed in the blood and brain matter of more than a dozen kobolds. Greed seemed not to notice this or Wrath's rising anger as he continued; "You know you should really put more effort in, like me." Everyone within earshot could hear a snapping sound. Wrath's remaining eye began to glow with an azure light as his anger reached it's inevitable climax. From behind his back he pulled, not a stick, but a holy hammer decorated in the style of the goddess. "YOU SON OF A BITCH, I'LL KILL YOU!" the extremely angry puppet yelled ashe began to chase the fox with the hammer. Greed, having survival instincts greater than your average shounen protagonist, booked it. "Save me Goddess!" he cried. "GET BACK HERE AND SUFFER DIVINE RETRIBUTION!!!"</s>	<\|message\|>Ying Yue Geng As Ying Yue cleaved through the dogman's neck, a barrage of noises sudden rang through her head, causing her to flinch slightly. What was truly uncanny was that she understood all those words, and yet still couldn't make sense of it. Her body, thankfully, informed her more about her current capabilities. Rather than being more tired, she felt energized from the defeat of the monster, even stronger than before. So strong, even, that the head that she had cleaved off the beast's shoulder was still spinning in the air, having flown a full fifty meters up into the air once she had struck it. Watching its arc and determining its destination, Ying Yue raised her brows very slightly at the pale-skinned woman who stood right at it. She pointed up, the only warning that Erika would have about the massive kobold head that was about to fall on her own head, before gingerly hopping off the frost-covered corpse of the dogman. The stint with killing all these evil spirits and realizing just how powerful she was had done wonders to her mood. If things kept up, maybe the dead man won't die after all. Maybe. Those wooden creatures scrambling about the battlefield though, causing no small amount of ruckus? They were less charming than a grumpy old man who was willing to put his own life on the line for the sake of his younger subordinates, and the dogman's tomahawk wasn't all that interesting after all. With a casual flick of her hand, she hurled the massive weapon towards Wrath, the steel blur bisecting the creature length-wise and cratering into the ground. Ying Yue's gaze settled onto the one that had been running away and she placed her finger on her lips. Puppets were best off quiet, after all. Though that hammer...wonder what I could do with that?</s>
<\|description\|>Ying Yue Geng 17 y/o \| Fujian, China. 1643 Level 10 STR 1500 \| END 750 \| INT 1500 \| AGI 3000 \| DEX 2250 \| LCK 1000 Acquired Skills Translator LVL 1 Enables understanding of all languages. Noble Pedigree LVL 1 Exudes an aura of charisma and authority befitting one of noble birth. Martial Intuition LVL 4 Quickens reflexes when in danger and grants instinctual understanding of other individuals' combative capabilities. One Hit Kill LVL 1 Increase critical hit chance and damage dealt on first attack upon an individual. Extra Skills Kaireth's Blessing: All Weapon Mastery LVL 10 Enables user to wield all types of weapon at its 100% potential regardless of mastery. Further leveling up this skill will unlock a sub-skill Weapon Copy, allowing the user to make a replica of any weapon they come in to contact with. Personality There is a haughtiness that exudes out from Ying Yue, a condescension that comes to her as natural as breathing. Her world, after all, was one of conflict and privilege, where the lives of the lesser are traded for prosperity and monuments. But rather than being malicious, the child is simply ignorant, having lived her entire life in her father's estate, her only moments of freedom found in visiting her betrothed's own estate. Her points of contact were her family and her servants, the former to be respected, the latter to be commanded, and, in one way or the other, Ying Yue remains emotionally stunted and repressed. But, sheltered, ignorant, and tactless as she is, something bright still blazes within her, fed by the stories written down upon the scrolls she's had to smuggle into her private study. A heart of that rages against injustice, a heart that fights for the powerless. The heart of a naïve child, who wishes to make the world a better place with nothing more than their fist and their spirit. Just like the heroes of yore. Just like a fantasy dreamt up in a fever. Short Backstory The world had changed, continues to change, and will change in the future, but from her birth to her sudden death, Ying Yue's life saw little of it. The eldest daughter of a middling aristocrat, her beautiful mahogany eyes were the only thing that elevated her above her siblings, and she was cared for like a doll in return. Feet bound to fit tiny, dainty slippers, watched and supervised day and night to prevent any accidents that would leave a mark, Ying Yue lived in isolation, her strange loneliness broken only when she became old enough to be betrothed, her aristocratic boredom dispersed only by the books she snuck out from a servant's room. Trashy, tasteless, violent books for the proles, sensational and with no educative value, but entertaining books nonetheless. She drowned in those stories, filling her mind with stupid thoughts and dreams, fantasies of a world beyond the walls of her family's estate, away from the designs of her ambitious father and her distant mother. Mere phantasms, flights of imagination to distract her from the life that continued barreling thoughtlessly towards her. One hazy, summer day, feverish and parched, Ying Yue dreamed of a world where she could be free and she never woke up again.</s> <\|message\|>Li Zhao 「李昭」 Li Zhao 「李昭」 Li Zhao 「李昭」 _____________________ _____________________ Location: Unknown, Froviel Empire Interacting With:@Sedjwick Lv. 10 ❤ ┅┅┅┅┅ ┅┅┅┅┅ ┅┅┅┅┅ ┅┅┅┅┅ ✦ ┅┅┅┅┅ ┅┅┅┅┅ ┅┅┅┅┅ ┅┅┅┅┅ STR 23000__\|__END 23000__\|__INT 2000__\|__AGL 3000__\|__DEX 1000__\|__LCK 1000__ --- Cool winds blew down from the mountain, a calming breeze as Zhao regarded the old knight with a tired stare, the kind of expressionless gaze she always used when dealing with troublesome people. She didn't dislike these knights, and even if they were no longer suspicious of her and the others, she was still suspicious of them. Serving in her father's army gave her a window into their mind. She sympathized with them. Who wouldn't be on edge if they had to regularly contend with monsters like the Kobold Lord. But somehow... hearing thanks and praise didn't improve her mood. It was obvious the knight captain was being earnest, but as he stumbled through his apology, her gaze wandered. Many of the knights were busy moving bodies, and chanting prayers. The reality of how many died began to sink in. Pity and despair twisted inside her, forming a dense pit in her stomach. She didn't know any of them, but she felt terrible all the same. What a waste... She drew in a quiet breath, composing herself, and addressed the old knight with as much courtesy as she could muster. "You acted with integrity and courage in the face of terrible danger, and for that you have my respect. We may be strangers still, but as it is my hope we can continue as allies." She said with a slight bow. "Your kind words and hospitality are appreciated, but there still work for me to do here. Please excuse me." Zhao turned on her heel as the knight vanished into a sliver of light. So much had happened it was enough to make anyone's head spin. She could feel the tension building into a headache. Nevertheless, she had made a promise to that child and she intended to keep it. Her feet carried to the center of the field where they had all appeared and she looked around for signs of the boy, but it was near impossible to find anything in the tall grass. She heaved a sigh and stared listlessly at the heavens, praying silently for guidance. The blue sky loomed above, and floating among the clouds was great hawk. "Ah..." Higher ground provided many advantages, she remembered, perhaps she could find him more easily that way. However, gently sloping hills surrounded her in every direction. Her heart sank, when she realized a way to solve it. Memories of her father speaking of the Tao came rushing in. She could hear her father's voice saying 'Mastering yourself is the path to true power'. She scowled at the hawk with bitter resignation. With a groan, Zhao widened her stance and lowered into a crouch, building power in her legs as she had done before. Her heart hammered in her chest. Be still, she told herself repeatedly. The ground cratered beneath her as she flew into the air. When she reached the apex of her jump, she ventured a look down and noticed the hawk was only a few meters away. Her fear of heights struck fast and hard, like an anvil against her chest. She let out a small cry and gulped hard as she began to plummet back down. Her eyes frantically scanned the nearby hills, using her fear to focus and look for any sign of the boy. "There!" Several hilltops away, she could see kobolds fleeting a small, shaggy-haired person standing in the tall grass. That had to be him, she thought as she braced for impact. The landing was hard and unpleasant. She skidded to halt as her feet dug trenches into the hillside and threw a cloud of dirt into the air. She drew in a few long breaths to calm herself and took a few awkward steps. Her legs felt stiff and her knees ached. She worked through the pain and started sprinting in the boy's direction, all the while dreading the thought of having do anything like that again. "Fear resistance? What a cheeky Goddess..." She thought. After cresting a tall hill, she found him walking aimlessly amidst the grass, and rushed to him. "Are you hurt?" She asked, somewhat out of breath, and inspected him from head to toe. Her expression softened once she realized he didn't have an obvious injuries. "It was wrong of me to leave you behind. I didn't realize those knights wouldn't be able to keep you safe. On my honor as Princess Zhao of Pingyang, I swear to protect you, so please come back to camp with me." She paused for a moment. "Although... It's probably for the best, if you just call me Zhao for the time being." She offered hand, and smiled softly. "Since I've given you my name, why don't you tell me yours?"</s> <\|message\|>Milo Thomas Milo Thomas Milo was lost. This fact was as plain as the nose on the young boy's face. No matter what direction he looked, everything that he could see looked exactly the same. It didn't help that he was only four feet tall, and that if he would actually stand up straight. His poor posture took his actual height down a few inches, and this short stature meant that he couldn't see very far in any direction. He looked around, seeing nothing but the same field that he had been in since waking up in this strange world. None of the soldiers or other strangers were anywhere to be seen, and Milo guessed he had probably been forgotten. The other strangers had fought against the kobolds. Milo had run away. It was all he knew how to do. He couldn't fight, and so he ran. That had always been his life. But now, he was hopelessly lost in some strange world with no idea what to do or where to go. Perhaps it had been foolish to run like he had when those kobolds broke through the lines and came after him, but it was either that or try to fight them and likely get killed in the process. His self-preservation instincts were still very much intact, and thus he had chosen the option that offered, in his estimation, the greater chance of survival, however temporary. Unfortunately, this option had now left him lost and forgotten, and so he was likely to die anyway, just slightly later than he would have if it had been at the paws of the kobolds. Once again, he wondered why he had been brought to this world if only to die a second time. As Milo pondered these thoughts, he saw a figure fly up into the air. It looked like a human, but Milo had never known a human that had the ability to fly. Maybe things were different in this world? Maybe he could jump into the air and fly? He really didn't want to test that in case he couldn't fly and merely ended up crashing and hurting himself. And anyway, the flying person may not have actually been flying - Milo had only caught a quick glimpse of the figure before it fell back below the horizon, after all. Then the ground shook slightly, and Milo looked around to see what new terror was approaching. At first, he could see nothing, and then he saw one of the strangers from earlier rush to him. This was the same one that had promised to protect him. She had also promised to find him again just before she left to fight the Kobold Lord. Judging by how relieved she looked to have found him, that was the very reason she was coming this way. The woman asked Milo if he was hurt, then looked him over for injuries herself before he even had a chance to say that he was fine, aside from being hungry. She had then proceeded to apologize to Milo for leaving him behind, even though Milo had really been the one to leave her and the others behind when he ran from the kobolds; swore to protect Milo, which she really didn't need to do; and asked him to come back to camp with her. Milo took the hand she offered as she asked for his name. "M'name's Milo, Princess ma'am," he answered as they began walking back towards the site of the battle against the kobolds. It seemed all danger had passed from the area for the time being, for which Milo was grateful as he really didn't want to run into any more kobolds or whatever else was around in this field that might want to kill him.</s>	<\|message\|>Ying Yue Geng Those two knights, though, weren't the only people privy to watching Erika's gluttony in action. Having only stepped off the dogman's corpse, Ying Yue was morbidly entertained by the display before her. At speeds that looked like she was inhaling rather than eating, the pale-skinned woman thoughtlessly consumed raw flesh, stripping meat from bone with haphazard technique. It was fascinating to see, and Ying Yue certainly didn't allow her gaze to stray as this wild woman reduced such a massive corpse to half the dogman it used to be. Organs were slurped up like noodles, and even the offal was devoured with efficiency. And at the end of all that, the pale-skinned woman didn't even look like she was all that full. Certainly, the appetites of these white devils matched their monikers. Ying Yue was even a bit jealous. She'd have never been allowed to eat so much. Maybe she was missing out on something? Full-armored warriors came by, reporting something about having to return now, and how they were gathering up corpses too, of both their comrades and their enemies. Were they also going to eat it? Was it, perhaps, even a delicacy for the Europeans? Ying Yue frowned and then, as the two knights began to drag the remains of the dogman away, she took her tomahawk and shaved off a meaty sliver of thigh. It looked grisly and nasty, but never let it be said that Ying Yue Geng was against sampling differing meals. The eastern islanders ate raw fish, and the barbarians up north drank the blood and milk of mares. Perhaps far west, the meat of the slain was something else quite enjoyable? She popped it into her mouth, chewed once, and then spat it back out. Damn, she ate this? The dark-haired girl spat out a couple more times, wishing that she had some water to wash out the taste of blood and stringy meat with. She looked back at the wild woman, who now looked to be talking to the islander, before storming right on over, physically and verbally barging into the conversation "You," Ying Yue called out, locking eyes with Erika immediately. "Have you never eaten real food before? That was indescribably foul."</s>
<\|description\|>Milo Thomas Age: 10 Origin: London, England, 1899 Appearance: Milo is small and thin for his age, even by the standards of lower class Victorian England. This is partly due to his natural build, but is more due to being born to a dirt poor family and being underfed as a result. Milo barely reaches 4 feet in height, but his poor posture makes him seem shorter. He is rail thin, and if you were to take his shirt off, you would be able to clearly see each of his ribs. He is filthy and his skin is very pale from being covered with what may be a permanent layer of grime. His blond hair is on the long side and black with filth (mostly soot), sitting in a rat's nest on top of his head and serving as home to more than a few fleas and who knows what else. His face is gaunt and narrow with dull green eyes and sunken cheeks as well as some premature wrinkles and worry lines (faint, but visible). ________________________________________ Level: 1 Health Points: 5,000 Mana: 700 General Stats: • Strength - 400 • Endurance - 500 • Intelligence - 1,400 • Agility - 900 • Dexterity - 800 • Luck - 1,000 Acquired Skills: • Translator Level 1 • Brawler Level 1 (Increases damage dealt by character without an equipped weapon. Also allows use of Fist Weapons.) • Run Away Level 1 (Increases chances of escaping from difficult battles) Extra • Kaireth's Blessing: All Elemental Affinity - enable user to use all elemental magic at its 100% potential regardless of mastery. Further leveling up this skill will unlock a sub-skill Savant, allowing user to automatically learn a magic spell just by seeing it being executed. _____________________________________ Personality: In his old world and life, Milo did not have a particularly happy existance. He wasn't necessarily miserable as he had two loving parents who always did as much as they could for him, but his lot in life was also not one of joy. He is quiet and reserved, having learned to do his job quietly and without complaint and to make sure anybody bigger than him didn't see the few shillings he earned every day if he hoped to keep them. He remains quiet and shy among those he doesn't know, but he is rather surprised to find himself alive in this unfamiliar world and wonders if this isn't the heaven that Blake wrote about in his poem of the Chimney Sweeper from his Songs of Experience. Short Background: Milo was born in the year 1889 in London, England to a poor family. His parents could hardly afford to support themselves, let alone a child, but they loved Milo to death. Still, love does not put food on the table, and Milo's parents' jobs hardly did any better. There were many nights when all three Thomases would go to bed hungry for want of money to buy food. To try to make enough money just to survive, Milo took to sweeping chimneys at the age of 7. His small size, like all the other boys who swept chimneys, made it easy for him to fit into the chimneys to sweep them. Unfortunately, chimney sweeping is a hazardous job, and by the age of 9, Milo suffered from lung disease due to all the soot he was constantly inhaling from the chimneys he cleaned. By the age of 10 lung disease, malnutrition, and other health problems claimed young Milo's life.</s> <\|message\|>Ying Yue Geng Chaotic emotions, fear, anger, despair, suffused the trodden fields just as thickly as viscera and offal of men and monsters alike. They cried and they roared, stronger warriors falling against greater numbers, even as their leader tried what he could to bolster morale. And yet, even in this seething cauldron of conflict, Ying Yue danced unconcerned. Others may die, but she was above such paltry terrors, not even the blood of her foes having stained her form. The rope, once red with rich dyes, was now heavy with the lives it had taken, striking with ever-increasing force. One of the warriors called out towards her, and she turned to spare a smile. Some of them were worth keeping around, at least. The dead man's attitude didn't drip down into his men. An arrow whistled past, and her eyes followed as it practically vaporized three other dogmen. Her eyes shone. Let's try that. Fortunately, with the lines having been broken, there were plenty of dead archers for her to borrow from. Snatching up a quiver and a longbow, Ying Yue rolled under the swing of one kobold, hopped over the lunge of another kobold, and let out a breath. There it was again, that deathly certainty that told her that she could kill with this. The lady nocked three arrows, noted both the groan of the wood and the relative ease of her pull, and fired. A roar of wind, and the area right in front of her cleared up in an instant. She smiled, fired five more times, then frowned. Powerful, but boring. The bow was discarded without another thought, and Ying Yue pulled a sword out of the grasp of a headless knight instead. An artless construction, nothing like the weapons of yore, but the steel had been well-maintained. It sang as she flourished it, and thrummed when she turned towards the largest of the dogmen. "Do not fall to your knees so readily, woman," Ying Yue chided, mahogany gaze sliding sideways onto the priestess. "It would be pitiful if so few remain to attend your comrade's funeral." Already, her compatriot was leading a charge through the horde towards the big dogman, and Ying Yue ran to follow, a warrior's sword slipping through flesh and bone with such ease that the monsters only fell apart two seconds after she had passed. Soon, she was at the vanguard with Zhao, a wider smile on her face at the hilarity of the vulgarities that the woman spewed. Her gaze, however, was set solely on the big dogman's tomahawks. Let's try that.</s> <\|message\|>Erika Mae Wayne Location: Unknown, Froviel Empire Interating with: Everyone at the moment [@Travesty @Ryteb Pymeroce] Being swept away by the thrill of battle and never before felt strength, Erika wasn't as aware of her surroundings as the others. She turned around, eyes wide and knowing that it would be far too late to defend when an arrow pierced through the kobold - and decimated two others. Erika stumbled backwards a bit in pure awe. Whoa. It was something different to see it so close instead of seeing it from afar with the lady with the cord. She jerked into motion as a wayward kobold lunged at her and she drove the dagger into the back of its neck and pulled out. She headed towards Ren, who seemed astounded by what had just happened. She held out a hand to him to help him stand up. Erika gave him a bright grin in response to his question. "Thanks to you I am!" Once he grasped her hand, she would pull him up with surprisingly little effort. Must be the goddess at work again. "Hey, you mentioned stats or something. Do you think-" She stopped herself when she looked back to where the cord woman had been continuing her rampage with other soldiers. The diplomatic woman has also taken the lead as she charged into the thick of things. "They're so cool, aren't they?" Erika nudged Ren with her elbow as she flipped the dagger in her hand. "We have to talk later about these stats. For now, we got something else to worry about." It would seem that a powerful monster had appeared and that was what the two women were heading towards. The mage from earlier had also been asking for volunteers of some sort. "We got an interesting bunch with us huh? Cover us. And the kid." Erika tilted her head to the direction of the young one that the diplomatic woman had left. Indeed, the fast they get this over with, the safer everyone would be. She patted the guy's shoulder and rushed towards the others. She weaved through the kobolds, slicing through them as she did and came to a stop near the eccentric man and his puppets. "You already got some volunteers man!" Erika called out to him and gestured to the two women advancing to the kobold lord. She backflipped to avoid one of the kobold strikes and would have been stunned that she did such a nimble action, but there was no time to think about that as she rushed forward and stabbed the kobold. It was clear that she wouldn't be able to match them in terms of pure destructive abilities but she could probably aid them in distracting the kobold lord for them to finish off.</s>	<\|message\|>Milo Thomas As the kobolds attacked, Milo was surprised to see some of the other strangers jump into the fray. He was even more surprised when he realized that these strangers were not only holding their own against the monsters; they were outperforming the trained soldiers in killing the wolf creatures. He also noticed one of the strange puppets running amongst the soldiers, picking their pockets as deftly as any street urchin in London. Milo remembered his friend Jack was particularly skilled at lifting anything of value from its owner, and only Milo's familiarity with such actions allowed him to recognize the same movements being performed by the puppet. Chaos was all around, and Milo didn't know what to do. He couldn't fight (or at least the scraps he had gotten into back in London had always ended badly for him), and he didn't have any other useful skills aside from running away, which wouldn't do him much good since all around was a vast field that was apparently infested with monsters, so if he did manage to escape these kobolds, he would likely end up getting lost and killed by some other monster. Maybe this was Hell after all? Not exactly fire and brimstone like the preacher talked about every Sunday, but it was certainly frightening enough with so many monsters wanting to kill them. As Milo was processing all this, one of the other strangers approached. Milo felt his legs tensing to run, but before he could, she knelt and put an arm on his shoulder. Her reassuring words and charisma caused Milo to relax, and he gave her a small smile. "Thank you, ma'am," he said as he watched the battle progress from bad to worse. The knights were falling to the kobolds far too quickly, and even though the other strangers were joining in the fight and doing as much against the monsters as ten knights, it still wasn't enough. And then came a howl that chilled Milo to the bone. Whatever had made that sound, Milo didn't want to find out. Suddenly, his eyes were back to darting around in fear, looking for any gap that he could slip through to get away from this terror. It looked like all the other strangers were joining in the fight in their own way. Even the puppet that had been picking the pockets of the soldiers had returned to the side of the other puppet and the young man that seemed to be their master (just how that relationship worked, Milo wasn't sure, but the young man was certainly the ringleader of the trio). Milo was left all alone in the middle of a battlefield with no useful skills, and the monsters still seemed to be getting the best of them. The other strangers seemed to be focusing on the huge monster that had just appeared on the battlefield: a giant version of the wolf monsters that were assailing them. And as the strangers shifted their focus to this larger threat, the smaller ones began to break through the front lines, beyond which Milo was alone and vulnerable. The monsters, the carnage, the noise, the strangeness; it was more than Milo could bear. And so, he did the one thing he knew best: he ran. The action was instinct after so many run-ins with street urchins and chimney sweepers that were desperate enough to beat another of their own to within an inch of their life for even a single shilling. Milo simply turned and bolted before his brain had even fully processed what was happening. As his feet carried him away from the advancing monsters just as fast as they could, that voice in his head spoke up again. Run Away Level1!? Milo thought as he continued to run. What does that even mean? He risked a glance back and realized that the kobolds that were pursuing him were falling behind. Is that what Run Away Level 1 does? he wondered, hoping for some sort of explanation from the voice in his head, but the voice had been rather short on explanations, thus far, so Milo wasn't going to hold his breath for an explanation this time. He just kept running.</s>
<\|description\|>Milo Thomas Age: 10 Origin: London, England, 1899 Appearance: Milo is small and thin for his age, even by the standards of lower class Victorian England. This is partly due to his natural build, but is more due to being born to a dirt poor family and being underfed as a result. Milo barely reaches 4 feet in height, but his poor posture makes him seem shorter. He is rail thin, and if you were to take his shirt off, you would be able to clearly see each of his ribs. He is filthy and his skin is very pale from being covered with what may be a permanent layer of grime. His blond hair is on the long side and black with filth (mostly soot), sitting in a rat's nest on top of his head and serving as home to more than a few fleas and who knows what else. His face is gaunt and narrow with dull green eyes and sunken cheeks as well as some premature wrinkles and worry lines (faint, but visible). ________________________________________ Level: 1 Health Points: 5,000 Mana: 700 General Stats: • Strength - 400 • Endurance - 500 • Intelligence - 1,400 • Agility - 900 • Dexterity - 800 • Luck - 1,000 Acquired Skills: • Translator Level 1 • Brawler Level 1 (Increases damage dealt by character without an equipped weapon. Also allows use of Fist Weapons.) • Run Away Level 1 (Increases chances of escaping from difficult battles) Extra • Kaireth's Blessing: All Elemental Affinity - enable user to use all elemental magic at its 100% potential regardless of mastery. Further leveling up this skill will unlock a sub-skill Savant, allowing user to automatically learn a magic spell just by seeing it being executed. _____________________________________ Personality: In his old world and life, Milo did not have a particularly happy existance. He wasn't necessarily miserable as he had two loving parents who always did as much as they could for him, but his lot in life was also not one of joy. He is quiet and reserved, having learned to do his job quietly and without complaint and to make sure anybody bigger than him didn't see the few shillings he earned every day if he hoped to keep them. He remains quiet and shy among those he doesn't know, but he is rather surprised to find himself alive in this unfamiliar world and wonders if this isn't the heaven that Blake wrote about in his poem of the Chimney Sweeper from his Songs of Experience. Short Background: Milo was born in the year 1889 in London, England to a poor family. His parents could hardly afford to support themselves, let alone a child, but they loved Milo to death. Still, love does not put food on the table, and Milo's parents' jobs hardly did any better. There were many nights when all three Thomases would go to bed hungry for want of money to buy food. To try to make enough money just to survive, Milo took to sweeping chimneys at the age of 7. His small size, like all the other boys who swept chimneys, made it easy for him to fit into the chimneys to sweep them. Unfortunately, chimney sweeping is a hazardous job, and by the age of 9, Milo suffered from lung disease due to all the soot he was constantly inhaling from the chimneys he cleaned. By the age of 10 lung disease, malnutrition, and other health problems claimed young Milo's life.</s> <\|message\|>Li Zhao 「李昭」 Li Zhao 「李昭」 Li Zhao 「李昭」 _____________________ _____________________ Location: Unknown, Froviel Empire Interacting With: Everyone Lv. 10 ❤ ┅┅┅┅┅ ┅┅┅┅┅ ┅┅┅┅┅ ┅┅┅┅┅_230000 ✦ ┅┅┅┅┅ ┅┅┅┅┅ ┅┅┅┅┅ ┅┅┅┅┅___1000 STR 23000__\|__END 23000__\|__INT 2000__\|__AGL 3000__\|__DEX 1000__\|__LCK 1000__ --- An onslaught of chiming voices rang in her head, more nonsense about levels and skills. Ignoring them was a struggle. The methodical and steady precession of strikes kept the distracting thoughts at bay. Every ounce of her anxiety had been buried beneath a savage rhythm. Slash. Cleave. Reverse. Slash. Backstep. Lunge. Repeat. Each stroke was heavy and bit deep into Kobold Lord, peeling back flesh and carving into bone. Frozen gore shattered under her strength and bloodied flecks of ice clung to her skin and tattered clothes. Magic power strengthened her swing as she backhanded and kicked away any kobold still suicidal enough to approach her. In less than a minute, the monstrous leader had been defeated. When Zhao finally paused to take stock of the battlefield around her, she realized the casualties were grave. Her grip on her sword loosened as she felt the tension leave her body. Her skin felt warm, wet. She looked down and noticed dark stains of bloody ichor had melted into her ceremonial dress. Disgust pulled her lips into a scowl, and she let out a tired sigh. She saw many of the knights were dead or injured, many wearing a hollow expression she was uncomfortably familiar with. Her chest felt heavy seeing them. Looking around, she didn't see the young boy from before (@Sedjwick)."He's gone?" She dashed towards one of the healers nearby. "Excuse me, doctor? Have you seen the young boy who was traveling with us? Is he injured?" Having been concentrating on her spell, the priestess was taken aback at first, and offered Zhao a bewildered look. After a brief, but awkward silence she eventually stammered out a reply. "Uh... No, I haven't seen him at all. He's not among the dead, I know that." She added. Worry creased her brow as Zhao stared at the nearby treeline. "I hope he's safe..." She said. The disappointment in her voice was obvious. The priestess nodded and force a smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. "We'll do our best to find him." Her hands glowed softly as she returned to healing the fallen knight. A stream if brilliant color stole Zhao's attention. She looked in amazement as faint, shimmering blue light radiated from the priestess' hands and flowed through the knight like a drops of dye being carried along by a river's current. Tendrils of black miasma curled away from him as a light within the core of his body began to shine brighter. "What is that?" "Hunh? what are you talking about? Actually, nevermind. I'm trying to concentrate, so please step away." The priestess said irritably. Although she knew she hadn't seen anything like this before, questions piled up endlessly and tied her tongue. She stared dumbly at the spectacle, a pale glow in her eyes as she briefly wondered why the healer didn't take notice. She looked around, noticing the same blue flame burning inside each person. Some dimmer or brighter than others. She shut her eyes hard, confused and flustered, but when she opened them again the ethereal blue energies were nowhere to be seen. She shook her head, and composed herself, remembering that none of them were safe quite yet. She marched toward the old knight. "Now that the battle is over, Sir Knight,do you still intend to arrest us as spies? If you allow everyone to regroup and rest first, I doubt you'll hear a word of complaint." She nodded towards the wounded knights littering the ground nearby. You have reached level 10! Sword Mastery level 4 acquired! Charisma level 3 acquired! Mystic Eyes level 7 acquired! New ability unlocked. New skill 'Hordebreaker' acquired! New skill 'Steadfast' acquired!</s> <\|message\|>Erika Mae Wayne Location: Unknown, Froviel Empire Interating with: Erika wasn't sure if it was the surge of buffs that the knights had given them or if it was their own capabilities or if it was both, but the kobold leader fell - the area where his heart should be was completely eradicated and the blades of both her and Zhao had been the thing that was visible in the area. It was then that Ying Yue had pointed up and she turned her sight upwards did she see the flying - falling - head of the kobold lord. She hoisted herself up and placed both feet on the back of the kobold lord's carcass, silently noting that normally she wouldn't have been able to do such a thing - and pushed herself off along with her dagger. She rolled on the ground and let out a sigh as the head landed from where she had been perching on. The boss was thoroughly dead and Erika couldn't believe that they had done such a thing. It was an awkward mix of effort between all of them and their teamwork certainly could be improved upon but it was exhilarating. The power of the two women before her was overwhelming and she was staring at them with absolute wonder. There was also the archer and the mage - speaking of which, it looked like Ying Yue had cleaved through one of the puppets and Erika was about to say something but decided to hold back. Erika walked over to the kobold lord wondering if this world made it so that they dropped items of sorts. As she edged closer, the voice inside her head began to ring again. She creased her eyebrows. What did it mean by Gluttony? She inched closer to the carcass, poking it and it felt like she was opening up a menu as the voice chimed in again. Erika's nose scrunched up in disgust. She had to... eat the kobold lord to get stats? That sounded absolutely horrid and she wondered what sort of luck she pulled to be in this sort of situation. Sure, she had eaten a lot of exotic stuff over her years of traveling. Her parents insisted on letting her try anything and everything. She had eaten a lot of raw food and even grubs before. It was a normal thing in the Wayne household whenever they traveled, but it just felt wrong to just... eat something that had just tried to kill everyone a few seconds before. She twirled the dagger around her fingers and stabbed it into the carcass. She carved out a piece of its meat and looked at it with a glare and then took a bite. It was... not as bad as she originally thought but it wasn't good either. By the whoever that goddess was again, if she had to do this over and over again... No stat ups. "Kaireth, why did you do this to me..." She cut up another part, her back at the others so they didn't quite see what she was doing.</s>	<\|message\|>Milo Thomas Milo was running as fast as "Run Away Level 1" could carry him, though he wasn't truly sure what it did or how it did it. If he thought to examine what was happening while this skill was active, he would realize that he was not only running faster than normal, but he was also stepping around and over obstacles that he didn't even notice existed. But he was too busy running away to take note of this. If this had been London, and if Milo were running from someone who meant him harm, he would have darted down the nearest side street, slipped down an alley and quickly lose his pursuer in the labyrinthine paths of the ancient city. Unfortunately for Milo, there were no side streets or alleys out here that he could slip down, nor was this London where he knew just about every twist and turn so well he could slip away practically with his eyes closed; to escape the pursuing kobolds, he just had to keep running out in the open and hope to outpace them. As he was running, he heard a howl of despair. Milo stopped and turned toward the sound. He had left the battle far behind, and his small stature granted him no favors in being able to see what was going on over such a distance, but he did see something shoot up and then fall back down in the distance. Milo couldn't tell for sure, but he thought it might have looked like a head? Maybe that woman who had been cutting off the heads of kobolds with that red rope had done the same to the Kobold Lord? As Milo considered these things, he took stock of his surroundings once more. He seemed to be utterly alone. The kobolds that had been chasing him, the reason he had been running in the first place, were nowhere to be seen. Had he actually lost them? Or had they fled when their leader fell? Or were they just too far away for Milo to see and would appear again to attack him before long? Milo wasn't sure which scenario was true, but if they were just going to show up again soon enough, Milo didn't want to hasten the encounter by running back in the very direction that he had left the monsters behind. And now that the adrenaline was wearing off, Milo realized how tired he was from the running, not to mention still hungry, having not eaten anything since waking up in this strange world. Luckily for him, the other strangers were taller than him, and thus able to see farther in this vast, flat expanse, so as long as Milo stayed above the top of the grass, he should have a chance of being found. But Milo had no idea how much distance he had covered in his run, or how far away from the others he truly was. Still, he was lost, and he didn't want to risk running into those kobolds that he had been running from again, so he would just have to wait to be found. He just hoped that whatever found him first was friendly. He didn't want to have to run away again.</s>
<\|description\|>Arisa Kei art by me :) Age: 16 Gender: Female Appearance Though Arisa is not one to worry much at all about her appearance, she does takes pride in her toned physique. The results of having been trained by her father from a young age are evident in the sculpted muscles on her torso and limbs. Paired together with her piercing, disinterested gaze, people have a tendency to stay away from her. She inherited much of her appearance from her father - jet black hair and sparkling hazel eyes - though her behaviour is much more similar to her mother, a researcher. She stands at 5'6, and appears slim under her clothes despite her built figure. The long scar that runs across her left cheek is something else she received from her dad, the product of a training session gone wrong. Rather than hide it, Arisa enjoys wearing it proudly as if it proves her worth, a medal for how hard she has trained for the glorious mission of the protection of mankind. Arisa's wardrobe is unsurprisingly basic—her one-track mind is often too focused on training to worry about frivolous things like fashion. She normally adorns any sort of comfortable loungewear, like hoodies, tank tops, t-shirts and leggings. Personality Like her mother, Arisa is calculated and rational. She seems disinterested in most things around her or is simply bored, but it's more accurate to say that she takes her life and her role in Red Demons a bit too seriously. Weighed down by the expectations of her family from a young age, she's been indoctrinated in believing that her entire life's purpose is to rid the world of vampires. She practically blindly believes this, to the point that she has never considered another option for her future and holds extremely antagonistic views on vampires, despite having never encountered one before joining Red Demons. However, because her beliefs lack any real experience or encounters to back it up, they are easily shaken, which Arisa does not respond well to. Though she is typically seen as more mature and stoic, Arisa shines the most when she's fighting. Most people are happiest when they are fulfilling some kind of purpose, doing what they enjoy doing, and the same applies for Arisa. On missions, Arisa is bright and motivated, and takes every effort to succeed. Brief Backstory Arisa was born as the first and only child of a former Red Demons member and a researcher under Yukimura Angelica. As the protégée of such high-caliber members of human society, a huge pressure had been placed on her shoulders to continue the legacy of her parents. Adults around her in childhood ceaselessly rambled on about what she should do and be, touting the accomplishments of her parents as the criteria to determine her worth. Arisa began to understand that if she wanted to be valuable to anyone, she had to be like her parents. From a young age, Arisa began training with her father and education with her mother. It was clear from the start she had much more competence with physical ability than academic, and overtime made combat training her main priority. Her father would tell her stories of the depravity of vampire-kind and the callous atrocities they committed towards humans. The way Arisa viewed it, the morality of vampires and humans was black and white. Vampires were simply evil by nature, a stain that had to be cleansed. Arisa's father eventually retired from his post after sustaining critical injuries on the field and could no longer fight. She still trained under his guidance and with some help from his colleagues. By the time she turned 16, applying to join the Army of Humanity was a no-brainer. Equipment Astraeus & Eos, a few throwing knives strapped to her thigh, a belt-bag with a basic first aid kit and a rose quartz crystal looped through with a string. Skills Close Combat Fighting: Trained with her father to fight Bladed Weapons Proficiency: Knows how to swing a sword and fight with and throw knives Crimson Arm Astraeus & Eos Astraeus and Eos are twin blades, named after the god and goddess of dusk and dawn. They are thin and long in appearance, and weigh relatively lightly despite seemingly being made of metal compounds. Astraeus takes on a darker obsidian hue, while Eos shines a bright silver. Arisa can telekinetically control these blades within a 10 meter radius and allow the blades to fly around her within this limit. Each blade can also be duplicated 3 times, creating 8 blades in total that Arisa could potentially control.</s> <\|message\|>Himika Takano Himika She had been oddly silent here. Quite unlike her, if anyone knew the white haired girl standing near the front. Honestly, it was just so exciting she couldn't actually put it into words! Today was the day! She was getting her very own crimson arm and she could finally, finally, do what she wanted after all these years. Agh, what should she do? How should she act? She should probably act a little more dignified, right? She was after all, bearing humanities weight on her shoulders now, so she had to at least appear somewhat competent. "Wahaha, interesting?" Himika said in response to a comment made by some sleepy looking guy. "I guess, huh? I'm excited myself. I can't even think straight." Maybe she was being too optimistic, or looking at this with too much in the way of rose tinted vision, but she couldn't help it. Nothing could ruin this day, even if the path ahead of her was a difficult one. She made this decision, no sense in not liking what she was going to be doing. So she silenced herself, following along the corridor with everyone else present. Thankfully, she didn't have to wait long. Soon they had seemed to have reached their destination, a blond woman in a labcoat commenting on how cute they all were. Himika couldn't help but to giggle and blush at the compliment, even if it wasn't directed completely at her, but the commanders words quickly pulled her back to reality. "Right, right...okay...Himika you can do this..." She approached the containment unit that held her Crimson Arm. So much build up, so many mistakes, so many hours spent training and forgetting to even sleep some times. She was prepared, right? Totally prepared. Mentally and physically. So she opened it. She stared, for a few seconds. The black steel of the blade seemed smooth. Far too smooth. Almost made her think nothing could have made it. She inhaled, reaching her arms forwards and grabbed the hilt. For a moment, she was a bit disappointed at what felt like nothing happening as she lifted the blade. "Geh? That's hot...!" All at once a wave of nausea and lightheadedness washed over her, and she could have almost sworn the blades handle was going to burn her. It was almost too much, really, and she almost lost her footing. Still, she didn't release her grip on the blade. "...urgh..." She had come this far. She wasn't going to let this go, nor let her admittedly clumsiness ruin this. This was her blade. Her crimson arm. And she wasn't going to give up.</s> <\|message\|>Mori Hanako Cute...? Could random strangers not call her cute, even as part of a group? It was all a bit... weird, really; she didn't want the attention in the slightest. It was a good thing that everyone was going to be distracted by the new toys; it meant her blush was going to go unnoticed. Especially with how fast Hanako shuffled over to the named containment unit, flipping the box open and... Just a combat knife? Really, she had expected something... more? With how much this was being talked up. But a combat knife... oh, she could use a combat knife perfectly fine, and didn't hesitate in picking it up. T The lack of hesitation was probably a bad idea, Hanako immediately decided. For one, the sudden feeling of sickness was overpowering. For another... was she imagining things, or were parts of her body just becoming see-through at random? Just what the hell was the function of this knife? One second her arm was there, the next it was just the floor, and she swore that it spread down to her stomach and that was... too weird... But at least it was returning to normal. And she hadn't thrown up.</s> <\|message\|>Minako "Koka" Kaiyo Koka Koka entered the room, glancing around, her smile fading was curiosity took over her. It returned though, briefly, as she smiled and waved at the blonde girl who had complimented the entire group. Koka was especially amused by Himika's reaction. The black-haired girl's heart fluttered in her chest as she was told it was time to fetch their Crimson Arms for the first time. "Oh-ho-man, here we go." She said. Koka rolled her shoulders, and bounced up and down. She watch as Himika and Hanako went first. Both of the mseemed to be affected by touching their blades. Affected them physically. But they seemed to get over it. "Guess it's me, next. Wish me luck, ladies." She looked around at the group with a small but eager smile. The 'ladies' included the men of the group, as well. Flipping open the case labelled 'Minako' her eyes widened, and she audibly gasped. "It's...it's the most wicked assault rifle I've ever seen in my life." She said, her voice full of awe. She briefly covered her mouth and coughed, taken aback. Indeed, it was. All red and blue, a striking weapon that would stand out from any other. "I...I think I'm gonna cry." She said, playing it up with humor in her voice, wiping away an invisible tear. Gently, she wrapped her hand around the rear handle of the rifle. And immediately, the effects were obvious, Koka the most strongly affected so far. Those looking at her face could see her smile fade and her eyes roll up partially into her head for a brief moment. Koka lost her balance entirely. "Nnnuh~" She stumbled back. Her head was swimming. She caught herself on the nearest teammate, whoever it was. Once rebalanced, she let herself fall onto her butt, crossing her legs. The smile returned as she shook off the worst of the effects, regaining her composure. Her face blushed a little out of embarassment, but other than that she seemed to take it well. "W-wow. Helluva kick." Her headache and nausa began to fade. Squinting through the migraine she began to stroke the barrel of her gun, admiring it. "This is...this is a work of art." She chuckled in quiet amazement.</s>	<\|message\|>Arisa Kei Arisa could feel tension build as they made their way through the facility. The path to their destination seemed lengthy, but perhaps that was simply her anticipation influencing her perception of time. Time went on, and soon enough, the group of recruits followed the commander to a pair of doors that slid open in his presence. The room was spacious, and Arisa took a few seconds to take in the new sights. There was an observation deck on the upper section of the back wall. The perimeter of the room was lined with chambers in intervals, and intercom speakers lined the ceiling. As soon as they stepped in, a female voice sounded through them. Heavily contrasted to the group's stoic mood, the voice was cheerful and upbeat. Arisa thought her remark about how cute everyone looked was probably accurate; they were all young and not yet as strong as the typical Red Demons member. Arisa listened attentively as the commander gave out his next instructions. Her eyes darted to the containment unit with her name. She was not worried about any side effect or ill symptom—she had strong conviction that it would be but a minor inconvenience. Her heart began to race as she stepped towards her Crimson Arm. With a careful movement, Arisa opened its container. Two blades glistened in the box—one an obsidian hue, the other a bright silver, though both shone and reflected the harsh overhead lighting radiantly. They were long and thin, appearing as if their form was crafted to fit Arisa's stature. She moved with caution, and slowly gripped the handles of both swords with her hands and lifted them out of the box. In an instant, a surge of heat blasted through her body, scorching all her senses with fire. Arisa hunched over in pain, but she bit her tongue and held back a scream of anguish and tightened her grip on the blades. In mere seconds, though it felt much longer, the pain ceased, and Arisa's senses calmed. She breathed a sigh of relief. Her first challenge as a Red Demons recruit had been won. Her eyes lingered adoringly on her twin swords, and an uncharacteristic smile spread on her lips. After a long personal moment with her weapon, Arisa began to look around her. The other recruits seem to be in similar positions, admiring their Crimson Arms as much as Arisa had. She looked towards the commander with an eager glint in her eye, though she kept her expression neutral. "Commander, will we be testing out our Arms today?"</s>
<\|description\|>Anna Marina "Spectre" Caldeira Age: 30 Species: Black Jaguar Height: 6"3 Appearance: Anna stands a few inches shorter than Max, though the feminine feline is no less a presence when she enters a room. Anna is slim, yet muscular, possessing phenominal cardiovascular ability that gives her the ability to keep going, and going like a beast possessed- parkour, climbing and running are in her repertoire, and make her a terrifying opponent in a one-on-one, even in spite of her shorter stature. Her hair is as black as her skin rather than grey, kept exceptionally short and making her ears more prominent than her practically kept hairline. The spots on her skin are even a muted tone, with scratches along her arms and legs from vaulting and running. She often wears a balaclava while at work, or a black beanie hat, a different choice to the typical baseball cap used by recon teams. A significant scar runs along her abdomen, where she was stabbed by an insergent. Her voice is a silky, yet deep tone that mostly remains quiet, harsh upon being raised and hardly something pleasing to hear when she calls out, an accent and tone akin to afro-brazillian Portuguese, and lot more street-ready. Whilst possessing a roar, it's considerably different to Max. --- Personality: Positive Personality Traits: Honest. Fearless. Good at listening. Straight talking. Patient. Very Calculated. Nigh-unbreakable. Negative Personality Traits: Aloof. Blunt. Cold-Blooded. Ruthless. Sarcastic. Likes: Danger. Quiet people. Stealth ops. Dislikes: Interference. Needless social contact. Working with others. Anna is incredibly cold, ruthless and capable, almost driven by some sort of energy that eminates from her shy personality. She seems to have not drawn any boundaries for her pain nor her lack of ability to do something - pretty much anything is doable to her, but as such, it makes her usually alone in that activity, and happier for it. Anna is a good listener, wise and very street-smart, able to sit and blend in, or go all out when the time comes. Perhaps not a lovely person, a bit awful to most. That said, she can make incredibly warm friends- though you know the sarcasm goes up to 11 if you're really close to her. Max and Cat are two in particular, people she would give out her close life details to, such is her respect, and once you learn that bit of her, she's easy company to keep. --------- History: Born on a poor housing block in the capital of Solernia, Anna Marina Caldeira was born to the very opposite of silver spoon that Max was born into, brought up by her policewoman mother in the absence of her father as an only child- her father being someone Anna hasn't seen since her fifth birthday. She was always a shy girl, the jaguar brought up in a violent, often turbulent background and constantly living in fear. Anna did not do well in school as a result even in spite of her cutting mind and fighter's attitude due to having poor and confrontational behaviour, a defense mechanism of sorts- it burned her at every opportunity and the only reason she perhaps made it as far as she did was the intervention of after-school athletics and boxing programmes and her mother's gritty attitude. Anna was shy, but a fighter and completely fearless- and told from day one to always do whatever it takes to survive, and more than that, do better. Upon turning 19, Anna joined the RSDF as an infantry soldier, and her phsyical talent from her school athlete days carried her easily through basic, as did her talent with a rifle. Anna was incredibly capable, but incredible difficult to work with. Her unrelenting discipline got her scolded by squadmates, and she was almost unworkable as a strict, cold character in the group. Yet her talent in a fireteam on peacekeeping missions meant that she was selected to go forward for Special Forces training, and here again, she got in with flying colours. Particular credit was given to her ferocity in the assault courses, aerial insertion work and her resistance to torture as well as her talents in stealth, where Anna left many men behind for dust. The girl was unbreakable- almost as if something was driving her, her drive and willingess to do anything it took almost too alluring to resist. Yet Anna through this time appeared to be repeating the same mistakes, when assigned to different SOF teams. Except this time, the brass made one little difference. The street girl from the estates was an exceptional talent at being the "grey" operator Special Forces Command craved, and had every talent nailed that they wanted. Not the kind that worked in an ordinary team. Inserted in domestic anti-terrorist teams or with the Intelligence Services, Anna was used as a lone wolf, a deniable operator who could kill, hurt and cause pain as a one person unit. Sent into foreign nations with the Solernian Intelligence Services, "Spectre" had no qualms doing things other oprerators would balk at or, be terrified of. Those who knew her knew she was awkward, difficult to work with, and almost impossible to manage. But when she worked, she did things most infiltrators wouldn't dare- absolutely and completely ruthless about her job. She didn't care who she killed. Duty, control and getting the mission done meant saving lives. Even if it meant doing something truly awful. Max handpicked her upon hearing that the SIS no longer required her services, and while the two did not intially get on, through a mixture of sarcasm, wit and humour, the two learned to handle each other as two weird and quirky people- tempering each others' flames, Max the playful and resourceful lion, Anna the ruthless and cold, sarky jaguar of the team. They worked together for two years, through hell and high water, and whilst not getting the promotion she deserved, has stayed with Max out of loyalty. In her last deployment in the civil war, Anna was stabbed by an hidden insergent whilst clearing out a complex in the hunt for the mysterious Silent Line figure, rescued by Catriona yet able to direct Viper to assist and get her out after being dragged unconcious by the insergents, Actual, Hopper and Kestrel getting them out of dodge. Bleeding out alongside Catriona has increased her respect for the Highland Cow, knowing she isn't all talk but caring and something Anna knows she needs to reciprocate- almost melting her in an odd way. Ever since, she has recovered fully and like the fighter she is, continued in what she does. Spectre doesn't die that easy, after all. Hobbies & Interests: Climbing, Triathlon, Reading, Grime Music, Boxing. ------------- 2x K8 SOF Combat Knife 2x M8A Select-Fire PDS with Silencer/LAM RI M23 w/ 40mm Grenade Launcher -Holographic Sight and Magnifier, Vertical Foregrip, Silencer, Laser/Light Module, Golden-Grey Camo Reconaissance Fatigues and Armour (Gold/Grey) OR Stealth Fatigues (Black) Pebble Ommni-Tool Personal First Aid Kit Personal Survival Kit Climbing Rope and Harness + Magnetised Grappling Hook PID (Laser Designator/Thermal Imaging Device) Grenades, Smoke Grenades and Flashbangs Quad-Vision NVGs 2kg of RDX Explosives</s> <\|message\|>Anna Marina "Spectre" Caldeira Max smirked as he saw Silverwind approve the requests, as he put his head back against the wall, sighing. He had to think to himself of what the last op had been like, and how much it had come to haunt him a little how intense it had gotten. They'd gotten into some serious scrapes before, but Anna getting wounded like that was pretty fucking bad. For her too, Max felt guilt, guilt that he hadn't been there for his own team. A good leader shouldn't have cared, especially not one as hardened as him. But for all the lack of empathy that him and Anna sometimes showed each other, they did care, a considerable amount. It was almost as if the two odd pieces fitted together well, as he sighed, shutting his eyes for just a moment. --- In the same time the lion was sitting in reflection, Anna was running through her equipment list, one that from the first glance of the Pebble's listing seemed very short. The jaguar wasn't thinking about the wound, or even how she'd gotten into that situation. Only to never let it happen again. And to focus on what was next. The M23 rifle was already in her posession on a table across from her, the hexagonally camoflaged grenadier version odd for an infiltrator- but exceptionally useful to destroy things if shit went to pot. Adjusting her cuffs, the jaguar's night-black hex-camo infiltration gear was more like a wetsuit, fitting tightly from the top of her head to her toes, reducing her profile in the dark even more immensely- and even more specficially, the special weave allowed her thermal signature to be concealed. In a nutshell, she was nigh invisible to a thermal imaging camera, given that almost every surface of her skin was covered from her paws to even her eyes, covered with the NVGs, which were equipped with a thermal imaging mode. Whilst she had forgone armour to have that advantage, the main reason she didn't always use a piece of equipment like this, the infiltration suit allowed her breathing room to run, climb and vault with total ease, as well as hide in shadows far easier than in an alternative uniform. It did also show her...athletic form off too. A pair of quad-optic NVGs made her already astounding night vision even more laser-like, and the modified Corvid wingpack sat across from her, this time, with two hydrogen-powered jets attached to the semi-rigid wing structure. If there was one thing that the new intiative had given her, it was priority on the coolest equipment list that the SIS had access to. She took the rifle as she finished up with her tactical equipment, taking a range of smart 40mm grenades, her grappling hook, and a pocket-sized laser designator, as well as shouldering the Covid pack as the last piece of the puzzle. With only a wry smile, Anna silently took confidence in herself that while she wasn't in a GEAR, Spectre was going to make the Silent Line afraid of the dark. --- Sitting inside the command centre, Anna and Max had settled in early, bags and equipment all settled down. Anna only had a small hex-coloured pack, containing her explosives and other supplies, while Max had taken a slightly larger bag, knowing he was probably going to carry his and Anna's various kit across. The gear getting loaded in the background was a sight to see, as the gray-haired fox turned up, slinging himself into place and strapping himself in. Anna had pulled back her balaclava and hood, clicking her hands as she seemed almost disengaged for the moment. "Good to see you again, Silverwind. Hopefully we're going in a bit." Max commented, sighing as he looked around at the command centre, nodding approvingly. "This is fancy. I like this an awful lot. Proper support, nice." He added, feeling like he was breaking the silence, already strapped in and wearing a GEAR pilot's standard fatigues, in his usual reconaissance pattern. The jaguar didn't seem too interested, as Max looked across to her, then back to Silverwind. "As I said, Anna can get her hands on some proper secret agent shit. It's impressive kit she's got herself. I seriously don't know how she made friends with the SIS though to get it. Killing people in cold blood is really anti-social." "It's best I don't tell you how I get things done, Maxwell. Just you leave me to it." Anna cuttingly replied, Max chuckling in response to her frank reply. "Alright, alright. Feeling good to go?" He asked her, the jaguar nodding in reply. "Just about as good as I can be. Colonel, I've got a camera hooked up to the NVGs here, and a whole bunch of RDX with me too. I know infiltrators are a weird unit to manage- basically, just tell me what you need done and I'll figure it out."</s> <\|message\|>Silverwind Blade Almost as if in answer to Max's question as to them getting going, the transports engines howled to life, the sound building up rapidly. Lights inside the bay flashed as the ramp came up, and the loadmaster directed them all to take their seats and strap. It didn't take long before the plane started to roll. From inside there wasn't much to see, but the sense of movement was real as the aircraft rolled onto the runway and accelerated. The flight passed with little event for the most part. Silverwind used the time to get some sleep, and to eat. After all, there was little else to do. The only other thing was to review the mission data again, and run through options for the assault, and keep up to date - as much as they could - with any intel from the scene.</s>	<\|message\|>Anna Marina "Spectre" Caldeira Max had taken an awful lot of sleep, as had Anna, the team sleeping for the majority of the flight. The day was passing quick, given that they had quite a bit of distance to cover- and after their stopover in Faerenal, they were on their way into the hot zone. Max had a rough idea of how they could work with Anna's laser designated point- while they could do it remotely from above, like a strike fighter could, it would potentially get hairy if there were local countermeasures in place. Anyway, Anna would get a much more accurate lase, and more importantly, identify the target much clearer than they could from afar if there was any interference. The infiltrator on the other hand had looked into how she would insert- going in prior to the rest of the GEARs dropping, using the jet-powered wingpack to land outside the base, then start setting up a whole array of "treats". Risky, but the night was her friend for that one. Sitting back, Anna exhaled, as the black jaguar took her headphones off, some rap from back in the days. While Anna was a woman that had risen above her background, sometimes though, she had kept bits of it in the little things she did. Max sometimes joked that while he was like a surfer, she was like the terrifying shadow you saw behind you in the rough part of town. A street soldier, but a spec-ops one. Taking her headphones off, she walked across to Catriona, the Highland Cow someone she wanted to chat to, knowing now was probably the right time with the other two asleep. Looking across to her, the jaguar walked across, the sultry and tactical infiltrator sitting down, sighing before she started. "Hey up. You know me and how I am....I don't really talk to people much and all. I don't want to mince my words, but just wanted to say after last time, I owe you a little bit of a debt. You nearly died for me, Cat...I thought that was me done and dusted, a stupid way to go after some of the other crap I've been in. But here we are....not sure what it's worth, but you need anything after this, you've got my Pebble's contact." Anna said, her voice coming through as honest, breaking her usual cold and harsh demeanour, genuine and true in her words, offering a paw out to Catriona.</s>
<\|description\|>Anna Marina "Spectre" Caldeira Age: 30 Species: Black Jaguar Height: 6"3 Appearance: Anna stands a few inches shorter than Max, though the feminine feline is no less a presence when she enters a room. Anna is slim, yet muscular, possessing phenominal cardiovascular ability that gives her the ability to keep going, and going like a beast possessed- parkour, climbing and running are in her repertoire, and make her a terrifying opponent in a one-on-one, even in spite of her shorter stature. Her hair is as black as her skin rather than grey, kept exceptionally short and making her ears more prominent than her practically kept hairline. The spots on her skin are even a muted tone, with scratches along her arms and legs from vaulting and running. She often wears a balaclava while at work, or a black beanie hat, a different choice to the typical baseball cap used by recon teams. A significant scar runs along her abdomen, where she was stabbed by an insergent. Her voice is a silky, yet deep tone that mostly remains quiet, harsh upon being raised and hardly something pleasing to hear when she calls out, an accent and tone akin to afro-brazillian Portuguese, and lot more street-ready. Whilst possessing a roar, it's considerably different to Max. --- Personality: Positive Personality Traits: Honest. Fearless. Good at listening. Straight talking. Patient. Very Calculated. Nigh-unbreakable. Negative Personality Traits: Aloof. Blunt. Cold-Blooded. Ruthless. Sarcastic. Likes: Danger. Quiet people. Stealth ops. Dislikes: Interference. Needless social contact. Working with others. Anna is incredibly cold, ruthless and capable, almost driven by some sort of energy that eminates from her shy personality. She seems to have not drawn any boundaries for her pain nor her lack of ability to do something - pretty much anything is doable to her, but as such, it makes her usually alone in that activity, and happier for it. Anna is a good listener, wise and very street-smart, able to sit and blend in, or go all out when the time comes. Perhaps not a lovely person, a bit awful to most. That said, she can make incredibly warm friends- though you know the sarcasm goes up to 11 if you're really close to her. Max and Cat are two in particular, people she would give out her close life details to, such is her respect, and once you learn that bit of her, she's easy company to keep. --------- History: Born on a poor housing block in the capital of Solernia, Anna Marina Caldeira was born to the very opposite of silver spoon that Max was born into, brought up by her policewoman mother in the absence of her father as an only child- her father being someone Anna hasn't seen since her fifth birthday. She was always a shy girl, the jaguar brought up in a violent, often turbulent background and constantly living in fear. Anna did not do well in school as a result even in spite of her cutting mind and fighter's attitude due to having poor and confrontational behaviour, a defense mechanism of sorts- it burned her at every opportunity and the only reason she perhaps made it as far as she did was the intervention of after-school athletics and boxing programmes and her mother's gritty attitude. Anna was shy, but a fighter and completely fearless- and told from day one to always do whatever it takes to survive, and more than that, do better. Upon turning 19, Anna joined the RSDF as an infantry soldier, and her phsyical talent from her school athlete days carried her easily through basic, as did her talent with a rifle. Anna was incredibly capable, but incredible difficult to work with. Her unrelenting discipline got her scolded by squadmates, and she was almost unworkable as a strict, cold character in the group. Yet her talent in a fireteam on peacekeeping missions meant that she was selected to go forward for Special Forces training, and here again, she got in with flying colours. Particular credit was given to her ferocity in the assault courses, aerial insertion work and her resistance to torture as well as her talents in stealth, where Anna left many men behind for dust. The girl was unbreakable- almost as if something was driving her, her drive and willingess to do anything it took almost too alluring to resist. Yet Anna through this time appeared to be repeating the same mistakes, when assigned to different SOF teams. Except this time, the brass made one little difference. The street girl from the estates was an exceptional talent at being the "grey" operator Special Forces Command craved, and had every talent nailed that they wanted. Not the kind that worked in an ordinary team. Inserted in domestic anti-terrorist teams or with the Intelligence Services, Anna was used as a lone wolf, a deniable operator who could kill, hurt and cause pain as a one person unit. Sent into foreign nations with the Solernian Intelligence Services, "Spectre" had no qualms doing things other oprerators would balk at or, be terrified of. Those who knew her knew she was awkward, difficult to work with, and almost impossible to manage. But when she worked, she did things most infiltrators wouldn't dare- absolutely and completely ruthless about her job. She didn't care who she killed. Duty, control and getting the mission done meant saving lives. Even if it meant doing something truly awful. Max handpicked her upon hearing that the SIS no longer required her services, and while the two did not intially get on, through a mixture of sarcasm, wit and humour, the two learned to handle each other as two weird and quirky people- tempering each others' flames, Max the playful and resourceful lion, Anna the ruthless and cold, sarky jaguar of the team. They worked together for two years, through hell and high water, and whilst not getting the promotion she deserved, has stayed with Max out of loyalty. In her last deployment in the civil war, Anna was stabbed by an hidden insergent whilst clearing out a complex in the hunt for the mysterious Silent Line figure, rescued by Catriona yet able to direct Viper to assist and get her out after being dragged unconcious by the insergents, Actual, Hopper and Kestrel getting them out of dodge. Bleeding out alongside Catriona has increased her respect for the Highland Cow, knowing she isn't all talk but caring and something Anna knows she needs to reciprocate- almost melting her in an odd way. Ever since, she has recovered fully and like the fighter she is, continued in what she does. Spectre doesn't die that easy, after all. Hobbies & Interests: Climbing, Triathlon, Reading, Grime Music, Boxing. ------------- 2x K8 SOF Combat Knife 2x M8A Select-Fire PDS with Silencer/LAM RI M23 w/ 40mm Grenade Launcher -Holographic Sight and Magnifier, Vertical Foregrip, Silencer, Laser/Light Module, Golden-Grey Camo Reconaissance Fatigues and Armour (Gold/Grey) OR Stealth Fatigues (Black) Pebble Ommni-Tool Personal First Aid Kit Personal Survival Kit Climbing Rope and Harness + Magnetised Grappling Hook PID (Laser Designator/Thermal Imaging Device) Grenades, Smoke Grenades and Flashbangs Quad-Vision NVGs 2kg of RDX Explosives</s> <\|message\|>Anna Marina "Spectre" Caldeira Anna chuckled, sighing as she nodded towards Max, knowing full well what she just said wasn't a million miles away, the sight of Silverwind's sleepy deneamour humourous to the sight as she sighed, looking back across to Cat, the jaguar nodding in agreement. "Oh yeah, we've got trust. We understand each other, in some chaotic way. Even those two!" Anna philosophised, chuckling as she looked back to Max, who was now beginning to snore, at an increasing noise. It wasn't enough to echo in the cargo bay over the droning engines, but in an isolated environment it certainly would. "Even him. We might not always see eye to eye, but I think we somehow work for each other. Even each other out as two weirdos. We come from different worlds...he never knew real trouble when he was young but he's fearless and knows how to get things done. Only person he found in challenging that was me. In return, he makes me a bit more tolerable." She added, shrugging, as she looked back towards the Highland Cow's listening and warm embrace, someone that made her feel more real than android. Perhaps Anna hated it, really wanted to reject it at all times, but she had to admit, someone like Cat was impossible to just put into numbers and quantify. She had a Arvaran-ness about her, a person worth caring for, and Anna had very few that she felt like that. Beyond a professional courtesy to stop her team-mates getting killed, she had something more proper here- tangible, perhaps. Like she could be more open here. "Anyway, I can do three in the morning. These eyes don't sleep...and I've done worse." Anna added, chuckling as she flicked her Pebble back into life, bringing the holographic display back into life, checking over a few bits of her data link to Cat and the display inside the vehicle. The professional was still there, for now at least.</s> <\|message\|>Silverwind Blade Cat listened patiently and with interest, taking in what Anna had to say with personal interest. She could tell this was a rare moment for the jaguar to open up, and treated it as such without interrupting. She gave a smile as the smaller, slimmer woman touched on her friendship with Max, much as she had done with her own with Silver, and nodded in understanding. As she answered her remark, she chuckled and turned back to her own pebble as Anna did the same. **** It was hours later when the transport prepared for landing, the announcement coming from the loadmaster. Once again, they strapped in as the pitch of the engines changed and the aircraft rumbled as its' landing gear extended. Noises issued from all around as the aircraft dropped through the air in a graceful, controlled descent into thicker air and toward the ground, and as the big, sleek stealth transport kissed the runway, the noise was too intense for conversation. It died down soon after as the plane turned off the runway and moved to a parking position, the noise dying down to a shrill scream of idling powerplants, and the loadmaster checked them off to disembark, the ramp cracking open and lowering with a grinding whine of hydralics and opening to a fresh breeze tinged with the scents of hot metal and burnt fuel from the airbase outside. "Welcome to Faeranel, boys and girls," Silverwind said as he stood and shrugged his pack onto his shoulders. "The tech support team will take care of off-loading out GEARs and fitting them out for the mission. We have about-" he checked his pebble, which had automatically synced up to local time "-Four hours before nightfall, and another two before we launch. Enough time for us all to get adjusted. Yer all free to go take in the local sights, whatever they may be, as long as we're back here in time fer final briefin' and last checks one hour before take off. No drinkin' this time, I'm afraid; save that fer afterwards. But get some chow somewhere that ain't a mess hall, but yerselves some souveneirs, and stretch yer legs after bein' cooped up in this tin can for the last while". He nodded to them all and headed down the ramp into the brightness of the early afternoon sunshine.</s>	<\|message\|>Anna Marina "Spectre" Caldeira Faraenal was a place Max and Anna had been a while away from, a stopover while supporting peacekeeping and recovering work in the region, a scrubland and warm, mediteranian-like clime that had suffered its unfair share of natural disasters. It was phenominal how well it had recovered after the hurricane a few years ago, coming barely a couple of years after a nasty earthquake had hit prior to that- wrecking much of the coast. Efforts from many nations had helped recover Faraenal, the people resilient and willing to recover the country through its industrious and resistant core. Perhaps it was what made the small deployment here easier, Max thought- hey, at least the people weren't complete dicks. While it was a nation locked into war, it had perservered through it, and was a very under-the-radar place to visit for its attractive little towns, its beauty often conflicted with the fact the media had depicted it as in ruin. The plane halting was the moment Max could unclip, the lion looking across to Silverwind and giving him a nod. "I'm game for that. Anna, you coming?" The lion asked, Anna shrugging as she looked up to the other feline, not really up for going out, on account of her combat gear. "In this? You think I'd fit in?" Anna said, Max chuckling as he knew he just had to pull an absolute bastard of a line out for that one. "Yeah, okay, maybe not. I mean, it does make you look kinda kinky." To which Max got a slap, Anna swearing as the lion barely even gave a shit and laughed, the jaguar sighing in response as the lion yawned, stretching a little as he walked down the ramp, looking across to Silverwind. "I'm gonna head out to get some rays. Grab some sights at the cliffs over on the shore. Silver, Cat, you in? "</s>
<\|description\|>Anna Marina "Spectre" Caldeira Age: 30 Species: Black Jaguar Height: 6"3 Appearance: Anna stands a few inches shorter than Max, though the feminine feline is no less a presence when she enters a room. Anna is slim, yet muscular, possessing phenominal cardiovascular ability that gives her the ability to keep going, and going like a beast possessed- parkour, climbing and running are in her repertoire, and make her a terrifying opponent in a one-on-one, even in spite of her shorter stature. Her hair is as black as her skin rather than grey, kept exceptionally short and making her ears more prominent than her practically kept hairline. The spots on her skin are even a muted tone, with scratches along her arms and legs from vaulting and running. She often wears a balaclava while at work, or a black beanie hat, a different choice to the typical baseball cap used by recon teams. A significant scar runs along her abdomen, where she was stabbed by an insergent. Her voice is a silky, yet deep tone that mostly remains quiet, harsh upon being raised and hardly something pleasing to hear when she calls out, an accent and tone akin to afro-brazillian Portuguese, and lot more street-ready. Whilst possessing a roar, it's considerably different to Max. --- Personality: Positive Personality Traits: Honest. Fearless. Good at listening. Straight talking. Patient. Very Calculated. Nigh-unbreakable. Negative Personality Traits: Aloof. Blunt. Cold-Blooded. Ruthless. Sarcastic. Likes: Danger. Quiet people. Stealth ops. Dislikes: Interference. Needless social contact. Working with others. Anna is incredibly cold, ruthless and capable, almost driven by some sort of energy that eminates from her shy personality. She seems to have not drawn any boundaries for her pain nor her lack of ability to do something - pretty much anything is doable to her, but as such, it makes her usually alone in that activity, and happier for it. Anna is a good listener, wise and very street-smart, able to sit and blend in, or go all out when the time comes. Perhaps not a lovely person, a bit awful to most. That said, she can make incredibly warm friends- though you know the sarcasm goes up to 11 if you're really close to her. Max and Cat are two in particular, people she would give out her close life details to, such is her respect, and once you learn that bit of her, she's easy company to keep. --------- History: Born on a poor housing block in the capital of Solernia, Anna Marina Caldeira was born to the very opposite of silver spoon that Max was born into, brought up by her policewoman mother in the absence of her father as an only child- her father being someone Anna hasn't seen since her fifth birthday. She was always a shy girl, the jaguar brought up in a violent, often turbulent background and constantly living in fear. Anna did not do well in school as a result even in spite of her cutting mind and fighter's attitude due to having poor and confrontational behaviour, a defense mechanism of sorts- it burned her at every opportunity and the only reason she perhaps made it as far as she did was the intervention of after-school athletics and boxing programmes and her mother's gritty attitude. Anna was shy, but a fighter and completely fearless- and told from day one to always do whatever it takes to survive, and more than that, do better. Upon turning 19, Anna joined the RSDF as an infantry soldier, and her phsyical talent from her school athlete days carried her easily through basic, as did her talent with a rifle. Anna was incredibly capable, but incredible difficult to work with. Her unrelenting discipline got her scolded by squadmates, and she was almost unworkable as a strict, cold character in the group. Yet her talent in a fireteam on peacekeeping missions meant that she was selected to go forward for Special Forces training, and here again, she got in with flying colours. Particular credit was given to her ferocity in the assault courses, aerial insertion work and her resistance to torture as well as her talents in stealth, where Anna left many men behind for dust. The girl was unbreakable- almost as if something was driving her, her drive and willingess to do anything it took almost too alluring to resist. Yet Anna through this time appeared to be repeating the same mistakes, when assigned to different SOF teams. Except this time, the brass made one little difference. The street girl from the estates was an exceptional talent at being the "grey" operator Special Forces Command craved, and had every talent nailed that they wanted. Not the kind that worked in an ordinary team. Inserted in domestic anti-terrorist teams or with the Intelligence Services, Anna was used as a lone wolf, a deniable operator who could kill, hurt and cause pain as a one person unit. Sent into foreign nations with the Solernian Intelligence Services, "Spectre" had no qualms doing things other oprerators would balk at or, be terrified of. Those who knew her knew she was awkward, difficult to work with, and almost impossible to manage. But when she worked, she did things most infiltrators wouldn't dare- absolutely and completely ruthless about her job. She didn't care who she killed. Duty, control and getting the mission done meant saving lives. Even if it meant doing something truly awful. Max handpicked her upon hearing that the SIS no longer required her services, and while the two did not intially get on, through a mixture of sarcasm, wit and humour, the two learned to handle each other as two weird and quirky people- tempering each others' flames, Max the playful and resourceful lion, Anna the ruthless and cold, sarky jaguar of the team. They worked together for two years, through hell and high water, and whilst not getting the promotion she deserved, has stayed with Max out of loyalty. In her last deployment in the civil war, Anna was stabbed by an hidden insergent whilst clearing out a complex in the hunt for the mysterious Silent Line figure, rescued by Catriona yet able to direct Viper to assist and get her out after being dragged unconcious by the insergents, Actual, Hopper and Kestrel getting them out of dodge. Bleeding out alongside Catriona has increased her respect for the Highland Cow, knowing she isn't all talk but caring and something Anna knows she needs to reciprocate- almost melting her in an odd way. Ever since, she has recovered fully and like the fighter she is, continued in what she does. Spectre doesn't die that easy, after all. Hobbies & Interests: Climbing, Triathlon, Reading, Grime Music, Boxing. ------------- 2x K8 SOF Combat Knife 2x M8A Select-Fire PDS with Silencer/LAM RI M23 w/ 40mm Grenade Launcher -Holographic Sight and Magnifier, Vertical Foregrip, Silencer, Laser/Light Module, Golden-Grey Camo Reconaissance Fatigues and Armour (Gold/Grey) OR Stealth Fatigues (Black) Pebble Ommni-Tool Personal First Aid Kit Personal Survival Kit Climbing Rope and Harness + Magnetised Grappling Hook PID (Laser Designator/Thermal Imaging Device) Grenades, Smoke Grenades and Flashbangs Quad-Vision NVGs 2kg of RDX Explosives</s> <\|message\|>Anna Marina "Spectre" Caldeira Max chuckled, watching as Silverwind came back up the beach, sitting down as he lay out himself too. "Yeah, nothing like the sea! Let's enjoy it while we can...I hope we get another, but if things go well, I have a funny feeling we might not..." The lion commented, yawning as like Silver and Cat, he was just enjoying this peace and calm that compared to going out there and operating. The calm of the waves coming in, and the occasional call of birds while lying on the soft sand was good enough for him. It would only last a couple more hours Max mused to himself, time to get away and get some proper rest in. Just as Max put his head back, shutting his eyes, he heard something ambient on the horizon, something that instantly caught his ear. "Hang on...the fuck is that noise?" Max commented, the sound of a quiet whine getting nosier and nosier- the lion already half wondering what the hell it was. It was high in pitch, but still quiet, enough to catch his particularly sensitive hearing, as he turned and saw just what it was. Almost as if on cue, Max sat up, his jaw open, watching on as the black silouette darted past the sun, dropping altitude over the sea and travelling at a rapid rate. That was what she had meant by a quiet afternoon in....of course. Anna had to admit, finding them hadn't been that hard but hell, it'd been the journey, not the destination that had mattered for her. After all, when you're using a jet-powered wingpack and you're about to do some infiltration using a piece of experimental equipment, nothing like a dry run to calm your nerves, right? She thought to herself it was probably better this way she didn't tell them- well, apart from dropping in just now. Her natural flair and control let her almost get on level with the sea with the wingpack, barely on the throttle before hitting the brakes, not even needing her parachute here to stop herself. The amount of thrust she had at her disposal made it easy by being able to flare out the wingpack, almost like how a VTOL would pull in to land, a clean and gentle flare to stop and land with the jets helping to basically slow her decent down. Landing on the beach with a gentle stomp, the jaguar pulled her tinted helmet off her head and cut the jets, the wings folding back in as she laughed like a schoolgirl, almost running around in front and definitely on a high that Max could only tell was rare for the team's infiltrator. Anna may have been loaded up with an operational loadout, but there was no doubt for Max that she was having fun while doing so. "Oh my.....this thing is just crazy!" Anna yelped, Max standing up as he could only admire it, chuckling equally in response. She certainly had an experience with that thing- given the fact she'd basically landed precisely in front of them, no parachute needed to Max's eyes was insane- and he had no idea how much that might have messed with Cat and Silver. "Bloody hell...okay, that was cool. But you know you could have just come with us to the beach in the jeep if you really wanted to come, right?" Max cooly replied, winking to Silver and Cat as he did, Anna sighing as she still was catching her breath, almost consumed by what this thing could do. Vertical take-off and landing, plus covering ground like a minature jet fighter was just lucid to her, and Max couldn't say he wasn't pulling her strings a bit as the jaguar sighed, uncertain just how to reply. "Yeah, but this is way, way cooler." "If you say so..."</s> <\|message\|>Silverwind Blade Silver's ears flicked and he frowned, and looked around curiously as Max pointed out the sound, with Cat soon doing the same thing. She sat up, shieding her eyes with her hands and squinting up into the skies, while Silver did the same thing from his elbows-back position. Both looked on in amazement and interest as Anna swooped over the beach, performing her elegant and spectacular manoeuver, before coming in for a dramatic landing. Silverwind applauded with a grin, while Cat gave a whistle of appreciation. Like Max, the pair stood up, dusting the sand off of themselves and moving closer to get a better look at the powered wing suit. Silver moved around Anna as she spoke to Max, admiring the suit and getting a closer look. "No kidding that's cool, Anna" he commented after she and Max had said their piece. "I can already imagine how much it's gonna change things... and how much fun it is," he said with a grin and a wag of his tail. "We're all going to be flying everywhere pretty soon," he said with a shake of his head. "Changing the way we do things fer sure".</s>	<\|message\|>Anna Marina "Spectre" Caldeira Anna chuckled, looking across to the Colonel as she turned, looking at her wing before back to the vulpine in command, clearly a little more opened up by the whole thing. "Maybe not too soon....this thing's an absolute nightmare to pilot. I might make it look easy but what can I say, if I wasn't a jaguar I'd be a falcon, maybe. But hey, I'm sure they'll sort you all out soon enough." Anna commented, chuckling as Max in turn chuckled, shaking his head. "And I'd be a jellyfish but here we are. Not a bad way of making an entrance. Now this is a bit of kit I need to procure. Not for operations, but just...you know, because." Max commented, Anna pffing in response, shrugging as she chuckled to herself, looking on. "So how about the three of you then? Were you having a calm time before I came and interrupted?" Anna asked, Max nodding, Anna sighing a little as Max laughed in response, patting her shoulder as she looked up, sighing. "Absolutely. We were doing absolutely nothing....then you flew by. Literally." Max added, chuckling, Anna shrugging as she looked back to Silverwind and Cat, sighing a little about Max. She was a little too serious sometimes, even if right now she was a little euphoric about how this thing worked. "Yeah, I have that effect. Anyway, the system all works. Allows me to carry the usual, Colonel. So consider me good to go." She said, nonchalantly taking the topic back to their operations, an effect perhaps Max didn't really appreciate as he himself walked around her, then back at the cliffs, sighing. "Shit, you really never stop, do you? Silver, as I said, there's your person who can infiltrate anything, but R&R is way too difficult for her..." Max mused, Anna shrugging as she widened her stance, flicking her wings out again. Ah, so she was going just as fast as she arrived, Max realised. Scooping her helmet back over her head, she chuckled back to Max, giving a menacing grin. "Yep...and on that note...I will leave you to what do you do best then, Max!" She called out, the jets starting up with a gentle whine again as the sand kicked up, Anna running down the beach as she slowly cranked up the volume, before turning it up to pull her away, the wingpack acting effectively as a jetpack, and pulling her over the waves, before she cranked up the volume literally and metaphorically. Max's mouth was ajaw, watching as she casually went from a slow hover into a fast flight, climbing in speed and acceleration at a rate that must have been simply searing to watch from the shore. Max had to admit, as much as Anna pissed him off, she had a talent for these things. Turning to the Colonel, Max shrugged, sighing. With Cat and Silver, he felt more at home enjoying the rest of R&R, and while he understood her intentions, and just how phenominal she could be, especially now, making easy what probably no Arvaran had done, it was dealing with her quirk that could easily irk some. "She's bloody difficult, Silver. But you know what they say. Best assets are the ones that are your most difficult, or in Anna's case...well, she has her way."</s>
<\|description\|>Marcus 'Janus' Waller Hunter by trade, Marcus is employed to bring in - or down - targets who threaten the peace in the land. \| 31 He was lowborn and raised, scrapping for everything he had until finding himself apprenticed as a hunter and now he thinks he's just found the witch to make his name famous to those who matter.</s> <\|message\|>Marcus 'Janus' Waller And so the hunt begins... --- Peeling paint and chipped wooden fencing spoke volumes to just how destitute this village had become under the rule of the Hierarchy. Everything seemed to be forlorn, lagging in the gentle breeze that came down from the hills on the other side of the lake. Moss and grass had wormed through the asphalt of the roads and people seemed to walk everywhere, making the asphalt itself redundant as it was. The stench of fishing clung to the air and gave everything a salty texture. The air, the people, and even the buildings seemed built to suit a single purpose and that purpose was fast fading. Yet they had the sun, and the fresh air! Marcus knew of people living in some of the new Common-Plexes who would never see or feel either ever again. Did these folk not realise just how lucky they were? Perhaps, he mused, it was hard to when for many of them they had probably known a better time. Even so, the lack of homelessness was a delightful break from the poverty that clung to larger cities and Marcus made sure to offer a toothy grin to the inhabitants he passed. Most starred with unabashed intrigue, clearly strangers did not venture out here often, and he did not want to alert any of them to the quite serious reason for his arrival. There was nothing he could do about them taking a guess given the equipment he had thrown over his person and he spent far more of his attention scouring dark windows and creaking doors for anybody staring too hard. He was here to hunt a Wytch. The ones he had brought in before had all been manipulative, devious, and sly creatures; he knew to be on his guard in places like this. Turning down a lane that wound around a fairly large squarish house Marcus passed a grand public garden and whistled at its beauty. Winding creepers adorned old stonework that structured a maze of multicoloured flowers and the scent was overpowering, even with the wind blowing down and forcing folk into the collars of their coats. She was here then. It was entirely natural and absolutely not. There wasn't a chance something was doing that to the place and Marcus knew it had to be whatever kind of powers the Wytch possessed. He had never been privy to such things or how they worked, he trusted in the reliability of science and technology, but he couldn't deny these magics had some strength. It was why he subtly shifted and clicked the protective cover off of the holster where his gun remained stowed. Arounds the side of the garden he could see down a winding path to the lake. It sat quite still, a perfectly serene pool of glittering light that reflected from the sun. Boats had been pulled up onto the bank on one side and even from here Marcus could spy some figures going about the business of making them watertight again. His eyes shifted on quickly and he spied the blackened house. Perhaps an old fisherman's house? Odd they hadn't demolished it yet, but then Marcus was all too aware of official inertia and the time it took any government controlled place to do anything. Whistling a jaunty tune he made off down the track and kicked little piles of mud that had been pushed up by moles. He was enjoying himself, he had no doubt, and Marcus was looking forward to a chance to clean his face and sit quietly for a brief moment. He felt freed from the prison of the RamRails. He could afford five minutes to himself. Moving the opposite way up the path a young boy came trotting back, big eyes watching Marcus as he passed. The older hunter gave the lad a nod and smiled but the boy remained totally stony, even stopping and moving out of the way. It was odd, as if the boy was accusing him of some crime but Marcus didn't know which one. Nothing to do but press on and so Marcus just carried on his way and meandered down to the water before leaning down to cup the cool refreshing liquid and drink greedily from his hand. It wasn't the cleanest water and the gritty bits of dirt reminded him not to have too much, but compared to the hydration pills it was better than ambrosia. Gulping a few more mouthfuls he then used another to wipe down the back of his neck before standing and looking around. He came to look at the blackened building and he was overcome by intrigue. He was an adventurer at heart and a quick nose wouldn't do any harm. Moving closer, Marcus got a better idea of just how decrepit this place was. It seemed to groan and almost shift in the breeze as if it might collapse at any moment. He would have to be careful. Climbing the stars to a landing and pushing at the cracked door he peered inside and froze. The door had fallen inwards and sitting in the middle of the soot coated communal space were all the signs of a squatter. Patches of dirt cleaned by the presence of a blanket or something, the remains of a dinner tucked into a basket, and the stench of someone living without indoor plumbing over the top of something far more… arcane. Marcus ran back from the house in a start. She had been here! She had to have been, and recently. His memory recalled the boy and he cursed. Clearly he'd missed someone running away from him. But where had she gone? Back into the village was unlikely, but there were still many directions to go. She could have headed towards the fishermen, or up towards the hills, down into the forests… or even just out across the plains! Marcus cursed again, more loudly this time, and then drew four plate sized discs from the back of his belt. With a click he activated them and watched as the smaller drones whirred into life then lifted into the air. A dancing of fingers on his wrist companion sent them shooting into the sky and veering about to begin searching the area. It would be slower than he liked but the best he could manage. Even so, Marcus didn't want to stand still and he weighed up the options. He didn't know much about his quarry… except the garden! Plants. She must have done something to the plants. Breaking into a trot down towards the forest he hoped he was making the right call.</s> <\|message\|>Earie DeAray If you're going to be anything in the forest… Don't be the prey. --- Normally Earie would have had a better escape plan. She would have been gone long before the Hierarchy sent their hunters. Clearly they were getting smarter now, which meant that she would have to as well. Though now was not the time to think of such silly things as the future, right now was the time to get through the forest and disappear. She had just gotten to the edge of the forest as the hair on the back of her neck stood, causing a shudder to come over her. A sign that her current threshold had been entered. Though if it was the hair standing or the fact this hunter was so close that caused the shudder, she couldn't be sure. This forest was quite the large one, full to the brim of animals which the villages around hunted for food. Yet the longer Earie herself was running through it, the quieter it seemed to get around her. An odd side effect of having a being with magic within it. Though at the moment, running for her life, the deafening quietness was unnerving. As if her footsteps echoed, though she knew they would not. After a while of running she had to stop to catch her breath, she knew that whomever had to be far enough behind. Between her head start and the denseness of the forest itself for someone who hadn't been in it. Looking around she saw a slight indent of a path someone had made, there was likely a hunters post around somewhere. This was where it looked like they pulled the wagons of their kill through. Taking the bottom of her dress she pulled the dress until a piece ripped from it. Sticking it on the lower thorn bush muttering a spell as a clear set of footprints headed down the open trail. Before heading through the rougher part of the woods the other way. If she was lucky this one would fall for the simple trick as many had before him. After all, what person would rather fight their way through the rougher patch when the path could lead to help? An idiot that was who. As if they wouldn't turn her over to a hunter of the Hierarchy, if they were even there. By the time she was able to see the edge of the forest, her feet were killing her. Her chest hurt from running, arms and legs cut up slightly from the thorns and thick woods she had run through. However, she knew this would be a straight shot once she got out of the woods. Just over the field between villages she could catch a trolley to get farther away. Of course she wouldn't stop at the next town ahead, maybe a few…...the sight of a plate sized disc caught the corner of her eye. Well fuck. She cussed under her breath before twisting her fingers and muttering a spell. The plate sized disc caught fire before it blew up. Had she the time to enjoy the effect of her brand new spell she might have. However, the explosion was rather loud in the quiet forest. Pushing her way through the opening into the clearing she took a deep breath before starting her way through the open field.</s>	<\|message\|>Marcus 'Janus' Waller When trying to 'see the forest for the trees,' you can't see the forest when completely lost in the thick of it. --- The days cooped up in the carriage hadn't done wonders for the fitness of the hunter but, with the fresh air beginning to whip across his face and the scent of wild flowers swirling, Marcus felt alive in a way he hadn't done so for a very long time. Trapped in the spires and towers of the bigger cities where clouds of smog choked the heart and soul of folk. Out here, amidst the wilds and nature that still hadn't been corrupted by the Hierarchy there was an energy. The blood pumped gently as he fell into a steady rhythm jogging towards the winding trunks of the trees that rose before him. Stories suggested that eyes would constantly be watching him from under dark, shadowy boughs but he couldn't see them. Either they were very good or they weren't actually there. Deeper and deeper Marcus ran, finding the latter explanation of no creatures to be ever more convincing. Strange, he reasoned, as the patchwork of trees was broken by the rutted and worn dirt tracks left by beasts. These made the journey somewhat easier. The thick jacket and hunting equipment protected him from whipping branches and long tangles of nettles that tried to rake his skin. Despite this he still struggled, however. He didn't know the routes and paths of the forest and with his head lowered to the ground to try and follow any path that he might find, he wasn't paying attention to obstructions ahead. He collided with trees more times than he cared to count and was just glad that none of the other hunters were around to see it. Finally, he came to a small clearing and chuckled to himself. A tear of clothing was caught on the branches of some thorns and seemed to show faint prints leading towards one of the animal tracks. It made sense, he reasoned, that the witch would make for a quicker route and it meant he'd be able to avoid the worse of the rough foliage. The plan seemed so perfect, until the wrist companion chimed over and over to indicate a drone had found something. Loading the small camera feed, a little shaky image displayed a woman breaking from the cover of the forest and onto a field. The locator pinged a direction vastly different to the one the tracks led and he swore. He hated tricksy prey, they almost always weren't worth the bounty they warranted. Still, he had a job to complete and dove back into the thickets and bracken. The ping of the drone was the guidance he needed until it was gone. A loud boom not too far ahead coincided with the loss of the drone. Confused, he paused briefly to inspect the feed and noted the hand signal that preceded static. The witch was also dangerous, it seemed, and Marcus cursed the contract once more. She knew she had been spotted, now he needed to up the tempo and close the distance. Luckily, a hunt was everything he had trained for and his physical fitness was the strongest asset he had, next to some technological gadgetry. When the edge of the forest came into view sweat ran down the forehead of the hunter in thick beads and his hair stuck back against his skin. Blood pumped loudly in his ears but he knew he could, and would have to, go further yet. Breaking cover he stood on the edge of the field he had seen before and scanned the near distance. It took two sweeps before he spotted the moving form of a figure ahead of him. She was close, but still so far away, and there was bound to be further tricks yet. He had to slow her down somehow. Initially, he broke back into a run. He couldn't allow any further distance to be built between them. Secondly, he typed in a command to the two remaining drones to circle in on his position so he could dispatch them to monitor the witch from a distance he reckoned was safe. He knew if she made it to another patch of cover like a forest again he'd find everything more difficult and he wanted to head her off before she could make for the… the RamRails. Lines of them weren't too far on the other side of the field and if she made it onto a rail he couldn't do anything to stop her. He didn't have a rifle, he didn't have a partner, he didn't even have a friend in the tracks that might tell him the destination of the Rails she jumped on. He did have some explosives. Not much good for throwing from here but he had a few things that were faster. Reaching down he deposited two microgrenades into his palm and set the charges to detonate on impact. A drone was summoned a moment later and typing in further commands, he set it a single task. To fly up, over, and ahead of the target to drop the grenades. It was his hope the explosions would divert the witch off her trajectory enough that he could close the distance to within shouting distance.</s>
<\|description\|>Earie DeAray 29\|Witch Born the middle child, and the only witch in her family. Earie was raised in a middle class family, and has committed many crimes against the hierarchy causing her to go on the run.</s> <\|message\|>Earie DeAray Remember, wanted "dead or alive" is always the same thing. --- Asher off the Brightlingsea, a small little fishing village that the hierarchy overlooked completely until the summer. Its main export was a fish that was considered a delicacy. They would come in the summer and fish it into near extinction, spoiling the poor people who lived there with their money. Then leave at the end of summer, for the rest of the year. Collecting their money back as taxes. It was sad really, though not as sad as the patriot of the hierarchy. Who was a drunken gambler, and far too easy to convince Earie would turn him into a toad, fry him, and eat him if he brought her presents here. The village itself was beautiful in terms of nature. That was starting to fight its way into life with spring starting to set in. With the winds however, people were still forced into their coats. Though the village town center garden was a sight to behold. Normally it would have been just beginning to bloom in this weather. Yet it stood lively and bright. A small token and show of power Earie had given villagers carelessly. It would die as soon as she left of course. Long before the hunters would come looking for her. However, it had earned her some favor though. Now the villagers were her eyes with the understanding that if she was ever caught, she wouldn't rat. In terms of buildings, the village was rather run down. Most of the buildings clearly needed a fresh coat of paint. Or a few things fixed here or there. Towards the lake there was even a house that obviously had caught on fire quite a few times. The outside charred. It had been abandoned. At least until the young witch had found her way into town and began squatting there. The short brunette rubbed her brow slightly as her fingers reached up taking the lantern that provided light in the room with one hand and a small bag in the other. Its inner walls were still black from the soot, and floors damaged and the house might have still smelt of smoke. Though it was possible part of that smell might have been from some of the spells she was trying. It hadn't been the one Earie was expecting, but it would be great for some defense. Still with the windows boarded up it did make it slightly hard to breathe. For the last two months at least this had been her home though. It was nowhere near the niceties she had years again, but it had been safe for the time. Had having to be on the move not became her normal, she would miss it. Sitting the lantern on the hard wooden floor, she put all of her strength into pulling the heavy wooden board open before grumping slightly. With some annoyed mumbling and a hand gesture, the door opened quickly and she had to catch it could open all the way and fall on her again. So maybe that she wouldn't miss. Taking a deep breath Earie's light brown eyes looked around the beautiful lakeside in front of the house. The dress she wore moving slightly in a slight breeze. It once had been really nice at one time, the type of clothing that was expected for a proper middle class lady to wear. Now though it was definitely worn. Her boots, lightweight regular boots that came to her knees to keep her legs warm and protected while in the woods. Grabbing the messenger bag that carried everything she needed to keep, Earie headed towards the lake. She sat beside the lake dropping her hands into the water mumbling again. The water warmed at her touch, the point she was able to clean arms and face up with it. "Aye, witchy lady!" Earie looked up to see one of the village boys headed her way, and put a finger to her lips to tell him to quiet down. The boy rolled his eyes as he got closer but obliged. "I got a basket from village since you're headin' out." The boy said, handing her the basket, which she immediately started to go through. Bread, dried meats and fruits, a flask of water, and from the smell of it one full of gin. Along with a few small items she could probably trade later. With a bit of a smile Earie opened her bag digging until she found some money to hand the boy. "Those are some weird looking books you got there." Earie snapped her bag shut. "That they are, you should probably forget you saw those, yeah? They got me in a lot of trouble to get." She said frowning a bit as she handed the boy some money for his trouble. The boy quickly grabbed the money with his greedy hands and nodded a bit, still looking at her bag. "Now run along." The boy frowned a bit at the fact he wouldn't be able to sate his curiosity and started to head off. "Oh, s'pose you should know. There's some homeless guy wonderin' around town. That's the same you were lookin' for right?" He added as he headed off. Earie's eyes widened a bit as she cussed under her breath and started stuffing the items into her bag quickly. Shit, they had moved a lot quicker this time. If this was another of the hierarchies grooms. Normally she would be months ahead of them. Grabbing her bag she headed for the woods.</s> <\|message\|>Marcus 'Janus' Waller And so the hunt begins... --- Peeling paint and chipped wooden fencing spoke volumes to just how destitute this village had become under the rule of the Hierarchy. Everything seemed to be forlorn, lagging in the gentle breeze that came down from the hills on the other side of the lake. Moss and grass had wormed through the asphalt of the roads and people seemed to walk everywhere, making the asphalt itself redundant as it was. The stench of fishing clung to the air and gave everything a salty texture. The air, the people, and even the buildings seemed built to suit a single purpose and that purpose was fast fading. Yet they had the sun, and the fresh air! Marcus knew of people living in some of the new Common-Plexes who would never see or feel either ever again. Did these folk not realise just how lucky they were? Perhaps, he mused, it was hard to when for many of them they had probably known a better time. Even so, the lack of homelessness was a delightful break from the poverty that clung to larger cities and Marcus made sure to offer a toothy grin to the inhabitants he passed. Most starred with unabashed intrigue, clearly strangers did not venture out here often, and he did not want to alert any of them to the quite serious reason for his arrival. There was nothing he could do about them taking a guess given the equipment he had thrown over his person and he spent far more of his attention scouring dark windows and creaking doors for anybody staring too hard. He was here to hunt a Wytch. The ones he had brought in before had all been manipulative, devious, and sly creatures; he knew to be on his guard in places like this. Turning down a lane that wound around a fairly large squarish house Marcus passed a grand public garden and whistled at its beauty. Winding creepers adorned old stonework that structured a maze of multicoloured flowers and the scent was overpowering, even with the wind blowing down and forcing folk into the collars of their coats. She was here then. It was entirely natural and absolutely not. There wasn't a chance something was doing that to the place and Marcus knew it had to be whatever kind of powers the Wytch possessed. He had never been privy to such things or how they worked, he trusted in the reliability of science and technology, but he couldn't deny these magics had some strength. It was why he subtly shifted and clicked the protective cover off of the holster where his gun remained stowed. Arounds the side of the garden he could see down a winding path to the lake. It sat quite still, a perfectly serene pool of glittering light that reflected from the sun. Boats had been pulled up onto the bank on one side and even from here Marcus could spy some figures going about the business of making them watertight again. His eyes shifted on quickly and he spied the blackened house. Perhaps an old fisherman's house? Odd they hadn't demolished it yet, but then Marcus was all too aware of official inertia and the time it took any government controlled place to do anything. Whistling a jaunty tune he made off down the track and kicked little piles of mud that had been pushed up by moles. He was enjoying himself, he had no doubt, and Marcus was looking forward to a chance to clean his face and sit quietly for a brief moment. He felt freed from the prison of the RamRails. He could afford five minutes to himself. Moving the opposite way up the path a young boy came trotting back, big eyes watching Marcus as he passed. The older hunter gave the lad a nod and smiled but the boy remained totally stony, even stopping and moving out of the way. It was odd, as if the boy was accusing him of some crime but Marcus didn't know which one. Nothing to do but press on and so Marcus just carried on his way and meandered down to the water before leaning down to cup the cool refreshing liquid and drink greedily from his hand. It wasn't the cleanest water and the gritty bits of dirt reminded him not to have too much, but compared to the hydration pills it was better than ambrosia. Gulping a few more mouthfuls he then used another to wipe down the back of his neck before standing and looking around. He came to look at the blackened building and he was overcome by intrigue. He was an adventurer at heart and a quick nose wouldn't do any harm. Moving closer, Marcus got a better idea of just how decrepit this place was. It seemed to groan and almost shift in the breeze as if it might collapse at any moment. He would have to be careful. Climbing the stars to a landing and pushing at the cracked door he peered inside and froze. The door had fallen inwards and sitting in the middle of the soot coated communal space were all the signs of a squatter. Patches of dirt cleaned by the presence of a blanket or something, the remains of a dinner tucked into a basket, and the stench of someone living without indoor plumbing over the top of something far more… arcane. Marcus ran back from the house in a start. She had been here! She had to have been, and recently. His memory recalled the boy and he cursed. Clearly he'd missed someone running away from him. But where had she gone? Back into the village was unlikely, but there were still many directions to go. She could have headed towards the fishermen, or up towards the hills, down into the forests… or even just out across the plains! Marcus cursed again, more loudly this time, and then drew four plate sized discs from the back of his belt. With a click he activated them and watched as the smaller drones whirred into life then lifted into the air. A dancing of fingers on his wrist companion sent them shooting into the sky and veering about to begin searching the area. It would be slower than he liked but the best he could manage. Even so, Marcus didn't want to stand still and he weighed up the options. He didn't know much about his quarry… except the garden! Plants. She must have done something to the plants. Breaking into a trot down towards the forest he hoped he was making the right call.</s>	<\|message\|>Earie DeAray If you're going to be anything in the forest… Don't be the prey. --- Normally Earie would have had a better escape plan. She would have been gone long before the Hierarchy sent their hunters. Clearly they were getting smarter now, which meant that she would have to as well. Though now was not the time to think of such silly things as the future, right now was the time to get through the forest and disappear. She had just gotten to the edge of the forest as the hair on the back of her neck stood, causing a shudder to come over her. A sign that her current threshold had been entered. Though if it was the hair standing or the fact this hunter was so close that caused the shudder, she couldn't be sure. This forest was quite the large one, full to the brim of animals which the villages around hunted for food. Yet the longer Earie herself was running through it, the quieter it seemed to get around her. An odd side effect of having a being with magic within it. Though at the moment, running for her life, the deafening quietness was unnerving. As if her footsteps echoed, though she knew they would not. After a while of running she had to stop to catch her breath, she knew that whomever had to be far enough behind. Between her head start and the denseness of the forest itself for someone who hadn't been in it. Looking around she saw a slight indent of a path someone had made, there was likely a hunters post around somewhere. This was where it looked like they pulled the wagons of their kill through. Taking the bottom of her dress she pulled the dress until a piece ripped from it. Sticking it on the lower thorn bush muttering a spell as a clear set of footprints headed down the open trail. Before heading through the rougher part of the woods the other way. If she was lucky this one would fall for the simple trick as many had before him. After all, what person would rather fight their way through the rougher patch when the path could lead to help? An idiot that was who. As if they wouldn't turn her over to a hunter of the Hierarchy, if they were even there. By the time she was able to see the edge of the forest, her feet were killing her. Her chest hurt from running, arms and legs cut up slightly from the thorns and thick woods she had run through. However, she knew this would be a straight shot once she got out of the woods. Just over the field between villages she could catch a trolley to get farther away. Of course she wouldn't stop at the next town ahead, maybe a few…...the sight of a plate sized disc caught the corner of her eye. Well fuck. She cussed under her breath before twisting her fingers and muttering a spell. The plate sized disc caught fire before it blew up. Had she the time to enjoy the effect of her brand new spell she might have. However, the explosion was rather loud in the quiet forest. Pushing her way through the opening into the clearing she took a deep breath before starting her way through the open field.</s>
<\|description\|>Jacob Roan Arling Titles: Team: Red Sex: Male Alignment: Lawful Neutral History: The head of the Arling Magus Clan, Jacob was born into a fading lineage sometime in the late 17th century in England. Trapped in a slow, yet certain decline from both their own self destructive traditions as well as the damage done to their Magic Crest in the last hundred odd years, the Arling bloodline had all but their end as Magi. Jacob did not. Gaining entry into the Clock Tower of the Mage's Association at the age of thirteen, Jacob would spend the next few years in intense study and research looking for ways to help his family. Eventually he would come to the conclusion that the problem lay in the clan itself, and that drastic action would have to be taken. Leaving the Clock Tower around the age of nineteen he would travel the world for several years before eventually returning to his clan's estate and enacting a swift and brutal purge of those elements and individuals he felt were restricting their future. The next two hundred years would be spent restoring their family's fortunes, slowly repairing their Magic Crest, forging new connections and alliances and other necessary actions. Personality: A sharp and shrewd individual, Jacob hides his intelligence behind the mask of a erratic and eccentric child, matching that of his physical appearance rather than his actual age. He is quick to spiral in long tangents and tales, often without an end in sight, and becomes easily distracted by candies and pastries of all kinds, often carrying several sweets hidden on his person. He often shows a playful and childish persona, rarely taking things seriously, even when in mortal danger, simply smiling and offering a treat of some sort. Even when calm, he rarely is seen without a smile on his face and a gentle look in his eyes. To him things are not a matter of Good and Evil, but what benefits or hampers his clan. In this way, he is an ideal Magus. He can easily recognize the potential threat a person can be, and is always watching and analyzing someone new, even when they don't think he can see them. Magecraft Quality of Circuits: A Quantity of Circuits: D Elemental Affinity: Wind & Water Attribute: Flow/Transfer of Power, Reinforcement General Magecraft: The basics of Magecraft, while only a cursory education on them was given by his family, Jacob was quick to study and master these guidelines during his time in the Clock Tower. Of those spells, he became most adapt at the use of Formalcraft and Self-Healing Curses. Arling Clan Magecraft: The tradition mysteries of the Arling Lineage, it deals with the study and manipulation of the weather, specializing in the usage of large scale, area of effect type spells and rituals of the water and wind elements. Using this magecraft Jacob is capable of creating lashing torrents of rain, massive banks of blinding fog, gales of wind, and devastating storms of thunder and lightning. While many of the larger spells do indeed require either multiple participants or an increased time spent casting, Jacob is more than able to utilize this system of Thaumaturgy in order to augment his more basic elemental attacks and mysteries. Elemental Magecraft: Elemental manifestation and manipulation, it is a fairly basic magecraft dedicated towards the usage of the elements, most commonly as attacks in combat. Jacob himself utilizes the elements of Wind and Water and shows a decently high degree of control over both. He is, however, also able to use electricity by channeling the natural electromagnetic fields of the earth as well as the leftover remnants or building energies of a storm, utilizing his own body as a sort of focus. Botany and Herblore: A byproduct of the Arling's origin as Druids, and their history of using their magecraft for crop production, they possess a number of spells and mysteries related to the subject of various plants and alchemical concoctions made from them. This includes medicinal aids, poisons, sleep aids, fertility aids, elixirs for the safe activation of one's Magic Circuits, simple hygiene products, and even hair dye, etc. etc. Lifestream: Less a style of Magecraft than a specific ritual, the Lifestream is a technique Jacob developed late in his worldly travels, prior to his purge of the Arling clan. First properly utilized during his family's cleansing, the Lifestream channels the ambient magical energy, both from the surrounding land as well as any nearby living beings. Taking the form of wild electricity, the energy will slowly begin to drift towards the spellcaster before quickly gaining speed. It will then start to enter the magus' body as the energy is absorbed to prolong and maintain one's health and vitality. The usage of this ability is noted to be painful in the extreme, and the first proper activation nearly killed Jacob via what could only be described as a "Magical Overload", leaving him with numerous scars and burns across his body. Though Jacob has perfected the process somewhat, it is still extremely painful to use, and is a stop gap measure at best. While it will certainly slow his aging to a significant degree, it still causes intense stress towards the body, and it will eventually give out, even if physically he will never look older than middle aged at most. Mystic Codes Bandersnatch: Jacob's cane. It is crafted from specifically treated steel, and separates into several pieces connected by bronze wiring. By channeling electric magecraft and reinforcement magecraft along the cane Jacob is able to control and direct it's motion in the manner of a whip, capable of smashing through concrete and tearing through flesh. Non-Magecraft Abilities/Items: He is surprisingly gifted in the realm of gambling. Be it poker, blackjack, simple games of dice, etc. More often than not he is on the winning end of the bet receiving a hefty payout. He knows his way around the human body, and as such has considerable knowledge of the medical field. He can be trusted to fix and heal someone of all but the most grievous wounds, and has a vast understanding of mundane drugs and medications. °He enjoys cooking his own meals, while he is no master chef, he is more than capable of preparing and healthy and filling breakfast, lunch, or dinner. °His favourite meal is a simple breakfast of bacon, sausage, eggs (sunny side up), buttered toast, and light coffee. °He has several descendants living on the family estate in the forested hills of England. Of all of them, he only truly spoils and dotes on his "great-grandaughter" (farther along than that) Stella, A young girl who favours gardening and animals, though she has little magical potential herself. °Physically, he appears no older than 15 or 16 years old, in truth, he is 233.</s> <\|message\|>Rumi Fujou Master of Red - Rumi Fujou Rumi returned Assassin's smile as she made her offer. A coffee shop, hmm? Well, she supposed even Servants could tire of simply waiting and preparing all the time. Plus, it would be good to get a sense of what her Servant could really do firsthand. Yes, she supposed there were certainly risks involved with leaving their base for a simple cappuccino, but the positives were clear as well. Certainly, they were taking a risk of exposing themselves, but so was any Servant or Master of the Blue team that came gunning for them, let alone knew who they were already. So long as Assassin employed discretion, (which would be insane if she didn't, considering her class) there would be little chance of discovery. And it wouldn't quite do to anger or disappoint her own Servant. Rumi only had three Command Seals, after all, and she needed to sleep some time. Best to keep herself in the literal stealthy killer's good graces. That, and there was one other pressing reason why she was inclined to accepted Hanzo's offer... "But of course. The coffee the hotel provides us is terrible. I despise instant brews. Lead the way, Assassin." _____________________________________________________ Rider of Red - Cao Cao Cao Cao turned as he was spoken to, raising an eye at his newfound companion. Berserker, was it? One of those..."Christians" at that, if his murmurings about God were to tell. What an odd belief system, but apparently it and those related to it comprised of the majority of world religion. How curious. "Yes," He replied finally, nodding to the long-haired man. "There is always a risk of looking down from above, exposing yourself to all the world." Rider chuckled briefly. "Were I alive, I'd likely feel the need to relieve myself right over the edge, simply to amuse myself. Doing so atop cliffs always was good for a cheap laugh back in the day." The idea of allying himself with an utter madman as the Berserker class dictated left a sour taste in Cao Cao's mouth, but Berserker seemed more or less...alright without the influence of Mad Enhancement. Rough around the edges and wild, certainly, but some of his greatest generals during his lifetime had been that way. Xu Chu, Dian Wei... A frown passed briefly across Cao Cao's face before disappearing just as quickly as it came. There were more important matters at hand than wallowing over his mistakes. Such as understanding those he would fight alongside better. He was no unchallenged leader of this coalition. Not yet, at least. But he would play his part for now. Until his worth and suitability was recognized by the others. "Tell me, Berserker." Rider finally spoke, turning to his fellow Servant. "What makes you a madman? Devotion to your God? The Grail imparted knowledge of your...Christianity, but I find that knowing is not the same as understanding. Your faith never reached my land during my lifetime, but from what I have gleaned, your heavens disapprove of violence and murder, yes? Why join this war?"</s> <\|message\|>Shichishitō --- Christine Herphae & Thaleia Their room in the hotel/hotel hallway --- Christina fixed Hervor with a glare for a few moments before letting out a shout of frustration and going over to a wall, banging her head against it once. After that, she just settled back into her general ranting and raving. The wall came out worse than her head, if the dent said anything about it. Thaleia just let out a small sigh at the sight. She was going to have to fix that later. Quirking an eyebrow at Hervor, she let out a little eep as that beefy arm wrapped around her shoulder. There was a bit of a wide eyed look to her, and if she could blush, she would be blushing. "A-Ah, um, well... I-I'll be happy to show you around, Saber!" Her eyes darted to the door and she realized she had forgotten to do something! Her hands came together, her fingers touching a small band of gold on one of her rings. She twisted it about her fingers three times in rapid succession, a small phrase escaping her metallic lips. Hervor could likely feel a small flow of mana surround Thaleia, as her form wavered for a bit. For Hervor, it was easy to see through the illusion, but if she tried not to, she'd find Thaleia looking... like a regular human. Where once was a woman of the purest metals, now stood a short woman. Hair the same style as before, simply actual blond hair, blue eyed, with a long sleeved white blouse and a sunny yellow skirt. Glancing up at Hervor, she gave a nervous laugh as they exited the room. "N-Not supposed to head out without the illusion... N-Normal people would f-freak if they saw me." Glancing both ways down the hall, she motioned for her to follow as she started walking towards the elevators. Honestly, now that she actually had to do it, she had... no idea where to start! Great, just great. Literally guiding a legendary hero out of myth, and she had no idea where to start. Maybe... food! Food is always nice. "S-Soooo... W-Wanna get some food first Saber? I-It'll take us through a fair b-bit of the hotel, and y-you can see what modern food is like."</s>	<\|message\|>Jacob Roan Arling Jacob Arling, Master of Red, Red Faction Base Jacob stopped at the closed door with a hum, palming at his chin with one gloved hand, while his other reached out and grasped the cane that leaned against the wall. "Truthfully Caster, I feel the only thing we can talk about is the direction we want this War to go, as well as the direction it is most likely to go. As it stands, this Alliance of Red and the opposing Alliance of Blue are temporary constructs at best, they won't last once enough of the enemy has been eliminated", despite his words the redheaded Master continued to hold his carefree demeanor, A soft smile on his face and his eyes hidden by fiery locks, idly spinning his cane like a top. " While I truly mean you no offence, the fact remains that in a head-on conflict with any Servants save the Assassin's, the Caster of Blue, and possibly our Berserker, you and I are not in good standing to come out of this War with the Grail ourselves. We need information, and though we can get such insights into our faction with little trouble, the Blue Faction will be far more tricky", here he paused and clicked his tongue. From behind the bookshelves the sound of scurrying erupted and with a soft squeak a small gray squirrel appeared, running across the room and up the old Magus' body to rest comfortably on his shoulder. "I've heard talk of an effort to scout the holdings of the Blue, and while my darling Squirrels are all that's needed back home, I fear they'd be rather obvious here in old Troy. So I would hope, without disrespect O Magus from the Age of Gods, that you may possess a solution to these troubles? I obviously have no intention of sending you out there in person, but some spells of surveillance or familiars of your own could definitely solve the issue I think".</s>
<\|description\|>Uddøde hær af Hjörvarđr (Undead Army of Heoroweard) Class: Caster Team: Red True Name: Skuld, Wicked Elf Queen of Denmark Art by 爱欧 Caster's appearance is one that betrays the drops of inhuman blood flowing in her veins, given that her skin is an unnatural pale pallor, and her ears can only be described as elvish in shape. She is 5'6", and weighs an amount known only to the dead. While her eyes are usually closed shut, when opened they are an unusual rich gold, with pupils that cannot be differentiated from the surrounding iris with only the sclera of her eyes looking as it should. Sex: Female Alignment: Neutral Evil Attribute: Heaven History: Once, long ago, a hideous woman bade a man to give her the boon of staying within his home. She then bade of him the right to his bed, and he accepted. Therein, the hag transformed into a vision of beauty and the man forced himself upon her; Thought to be a dream by the man, the woman vanished only to appear three days after with a baby nestled against her. This was Skuld, the woman who would bring ruin to the Danes, and herself be brought low by vengeance. She would marry Haeroward, slay her own half brother, and cement her terrible power by raising an army, and then raising that same army from the dead to slay all who opposed her. Despite her great sorcery and terrible power, with her husband slain the wicked queen fell apart at the seams. All her waking moments were spent clutching his animated corpse, trapped in her own delusion of their private kingdom paradise. She was tortured endlessly for her betrayal, yet if asked about it, she would say she only regretted the death of her husband and would gladly die ten thousand times the same way if it meant he would have survived. Personality: Caster is...unusual and idiosyncratic, to say the least. She is prone to being very upbeat, cordial, and incredibly polite when dealing with others, but has been shown to be capricious within her own workshop, often creating something and initially boasting that it was a major breakthrough, only to discard it mere moments later as "gutter trash" before resuming her work. She is most certainly a disturbing individual, very comfortable around both death and the dying, often seeking out those about to die in order to re-purpose corpses, or simply to amuse herself. She is not above using underhanded tactics, thinking that so long as minimal losses are assured for her side, anything is fair game. In spite of her sinister nature, Caster proves to be somewhat...amicable to her allies. Caster, despite her macabre actions and rather sinister methodology of magecraft, is loyal to a fault. Her class of caster as well as her skillset being very unsuitable to a regular type of holy grail war results in her requiring an alliance with others, and, being in such a large one, Caster is more than content to oblige by the suggestions and orders of her fellow members of the ??? faction. Parameters: Strength: E Agility: D Endurance: C Mana: A+ Luck: C --- Class Skills Territory Creation: B The capacity for a Magus to establish territory, usually for the purpose of collecting and restoring mana. At this stage, the creation of a "Workshop" is possible, and as such Caster's limit is that of a relatively small sized building or room, in which her mana will gradually restore itself. In her Workshop she is able to cast spells for significantly less mana cost. In addition, she can sense the presence of others within her territory. Item Construction: B The ability of a Caster class servant to create magical items. Due to her legend in life never detailing her as creating any objects, it is a relatively low rank. With this she can only create the most basic of objects that can serve a magical purpose, basic remedies, and rudimentary weapons. Naturally, none of these are on par with Noble Phantasms. --- Personal Skills Seiðr: A+ A nordic form of magecraft that originated from the Vanir Gods . The magic itself is incredibly varied to the extent that if given enough time to parse the effects of a spell Caster is certainly able to replicate it with her extensive knowledge of Seiðr. In particular Caster's favored methods of using her magic are in the forms of enchantments, illusions, and necromancy. She is especially fond of the usage of necromancy, reflecting her legend as a literal raiser of armies. The magic itself is shamanistic in nature with a good number of spells requiring time to prepare. One of the most powerful spells she had ever conjured completely hid all of her husband's army, which amounted to over 10,000 warriors completely masked from senses both magical and physical. While she has nowhere near the capability to perform such a feat, making one person undetectable is well within her means. Blood of the Sun: C A weaker form of divinity formed from the link that elves shared with the Vanir and Aesir gods. As a half-elf, Caster's parameters have been given a slight boost, mostly to her Mana and Agility parameters, as well as her magecraft capabilities. This also confers with it a slight degree of Magic Resistance, at least on the level of D rank Magic Resistance. Allegiance of Spirit: B A skill that formed from Caster's deep unshakeable loyalty to those she most trusts. This skill can only affect a single person at a time and cannot boost a human master's capabilities, instead letting them tap into her workshop's mana reserves to replenish their own. Over the course of a Holy Grail War, the devotion Caster shows to a single individual can begin to manifest as a supplemental mana source that they are capable of drawing upon for whatever needs they have. In addition, the servant will find itself capable of drawing on the mana present within Caster's workshop if it finds itself in need of restoration of their health and staving off the effects of curses that damage the Servant. Once her trust is lost it cannot be regained. Caster can assign this skill to any target she has trust in at any time, changing who receives and benefits from the effects. --- Noble Phantasms: Rank: B Type: Anti-Army Range: 1-100 Description: A summoning Noble Phantasm that uses a great number of corpses, numbering in the thousands. While the mana cost for this noble phantasm is staggeringly high, it can be lowered significantly with a tribute of over a thousand corpses. The summoned beings number in the tens of thousands, all skeletal recreations of those who fought and died for Heoroweard's quest for kinghood. Leading the charge himself is her reanimated husband, who's arms manifest only as a ghostly apparition, with a ghastly blade clenched between non-existent fingers. The individuals skeletons and cadavers are relatively weak compared to any servant and have an equivalent stat of E-- at all times. Heoroweard's form is greatly strengthened via Caster's eternal love for him. In terms of stats, he himself would be on par with a powerful Saber class servant, capable of going toe to toe with nearly any normal servant in a Holy Grail war. He cannot, however, be summoned without the army being in place, and if enough of them are eradicated, Caster will have no choice but to end her Noble Phantasm early. In addition, any individuals killed within the radius of the Noble Phantasm with the exception of servants will be forced to rise and join the army, skin and flesh dissolving to free their bones for the endless march for the true king of Denmark.</s> <\|message\|>Shichishitō --- Christine Herphae & Thaleia Their room in the hotel --- Thaleia blinked a bit as Hervor spoke, having to tilt her head backwards a bit to look the towering giant of a woman in the eye... Okay, she had no clue what to say here. How in the world does someone start explaining the modern world to someone... Well, Mother did, so she would probably be able to due it. But she still hadn't learned everything about everything yet, so how in the world was she going to do it! So lost in thought on what to do, she didn't actually really notice Hervor inspecting her, or leave to go to the window. She only noticed Hervor had left when she spoke up again, jumping slightly and looking at her. Christine turned as she was addressed by her Servant, squinting at her for a moment... She wanted to punch her. Despite the fact that she'd more than likely break her hand on her face, at that moment, she wanted to punch her in that smug grin. Gritting her teeth, she jabbed a finger at that DAMN sword! "Oh I'll share my woes with you! Out of all the servants I could have summoned, I got one of the small selection with a CURSED weapon! Meaning that no, I cannot study the damn thing! Can't take notes, can't even see the thing! Half of the reason I was excited about this war was the fact I'd likely get to study some items from the Age of the Gods! Do you REALIZE how valuable that kind of information would be?!" She proceeded to descend into a lengthy technical rant about how Mystic Codes had declined over time, and why being able to study something like her sword would be so valuable. Thaleia took a step up besides Hervor, letting out a small sigh and looking up at the towering woman again... Really was kind of intimidating being next to her. "S-Sorry about Mother, she is rather... passionate about her work. She'll get over it eventually, but for now, she's gonna be ranting for a while. I-If you want, we could see if any of the other members of the team are about? O-Or at least check out the area, see where everything is?"</s> <\|message\|>Hastings Blenda Eldberg --- Reclining in the chair in her room, Blenda studied the map of Çanakkale hung on the wall surrounded by the photographs of various landmarks and buildings of interest across the city with further notes attached to them giving a short description of the locales as well as the location of their base circles in bright blue marker. Sighing, she grabbed a pair of dice and rolled them on the table in front of her before closing her eyes for a moment. The ritual Hector Bahadir has devised was quite an interesting puzzle, she had to admit, up to and including accounting for, no, active inclusion of, enemy forces. So many moving parts and so many variables, some of which were so incredibly hard to predict the path of, and that was before one included Servants. Truly, a chaotic mess that would either blow up in the man's face spectacularly or succeed beyond anyone's wildest imagination. Chuckling, she opened her eyes and leaned forward, looking at the dice. Three and nine. Still, of all Servants, she did not expect to summon Berserker, even one as apparently lucid as hers have so far been. Reckless as she may sometimes have appeared, she wondered what it said about her to draw the wielder of madness? Clicking her tongue, she dismisses her thoughts, irrelevant as they were to the situation. "Berserker" she calls "would you prefer to familiarize yourself with the city or perhaps interact with our allies?" --- Archer of Blue - William --- Standing at the top of the mansion, William surveys the land before her, brows furrowed in concentration even though she sees with little clarity even things at the bottom of the building, directly underneath her. An interesting situation, to find herself in. She knew her way with a bow of course, what warrior would she be had she not after all, but to be summoned as the hero of the bow simply on the account of the way The Usurper have died... Snorting, she lets her mind wander. Being on the defensive is unusual enough for her as it is, but to know next to nothing of enemy's capabilities... Infuriating and worrying in equal measure. There are so many ways things can go wrong on a campaign caused by lack of information. Shaking her head, she makes her decision. No time to dwindle, better be proactive and secure some additional ground beyond just main fort. One castle is all well and good, but it cannot hold entire country, no matter how well placed. No, she will need a lot more before she feels secure about letting the enemy approach. First, the city. Then, the war. And after that... who knows, the world will be ripe for picking anew. Master, I am venturing into the city to secure forward positions. She adds as an afterthought. It's hard to remember that she had a partner in this, with how quiet they were. But, perhaps, it was for the better that they left the war for those whose trade it was. Smiling, William jumps down, ready to appropriate one of this era's steeds, motorbikes they were called if she recalls correctly. She was in a hurry, but not so much as to not enjoy a ride and survey of what would be hers.</s>	<\|message\|>Uddøde hær af Hjörvarđr (Undead Army of Heoroweard) Caster of Red - Skuld "Did you sleep well, my Master?" Within the air above Jacob Arling, a slight change in pressure could be observed as something moved, flickering particles of light blue converging on a singular point before, as if the air itself was being painted over, the pallid woman that was his Servant emerged. Her feet were firmly pressed against the ceiling, transfixed as if her heels were bolted there like a chandelier before she released her hold on the material. Her descent was gradual, until she stood beside Jacob's desk, off to the left of his seat. Her eyeless gaze would fall upon him as she considered for a moment whether taking the chocolate was a good idea or not. "I do not know much about the sweets of this time...but I would not turn down an offer from you. If anything is to be discussed first, then let it be this..." Skuld said, before the strange eyes she possessed opened and stared at Jacob. "To win this war on your behalf, many will die. That is an unavoidable requirement of my Noble Phantasm. There cannot be victory without sacrifice, my master. Blood will fill the grail you seek, but you have time yet to reconsider," the elven caster said, before slowly fixing her gaze on the bar of chocolate, the pointed ears sticking from the sides of her head flicking to and fro in a wiggling motion. "...What flavor is it?"</s>
<\|description\|>La Parca De Mictlan Class: Lancer Team: Blue Team True Name: Santa Muerte, Lady of Shadows, Our Lady of Holy Death Sex: Female Alignment: Lawful Evil Attribute: Heaven History: There was a farm somewhere in Old Mexico. There lived a father, a mother and an only daughter. Whose smile had given both of them hope in the hard times. They were an impoverished Spanish noble family making ends meet. Their investments gone, their wealth all but vanished. All they have left is each other but even then it did not last long. One day, the father died, lashes on his body when the Spanish Inquisition arrived to bury the body in what they deemed was hallowed ground. The mother had lost all hope and it was only she and her daughter to work the farm. The little girl asked her mother about the native's beliefs, about a paradise that awaits them and asked if her father was there. She was naive and idealistic as are all young girls at a mature age in an isolated environment. The mother did not answer and encouraged her daughter to work the farm instead of the nonsense. The girl tended crops, milked goats, catered feeds. All her father should have done. Her mother was growing old and was forced to stay in their home, leaving her vulnerable to the temptation of the world awaiting her outside the farm. The girl met an Aztec who was captivated by her beauty… so much so that he had kidnapped her, stripped her and was lashed nonstop. They were speaking in chants, in a language that she could understand, were it not for farm work she would have died from the intense pain of their whips. She was later rescued by the Inquisition, saliva drooling, tears crying and her clothes and body showing signs of tear and redness. There were no scars on her body but on her mind and it would remain with her for the rest of her life. When she was brought home, her Mother had been taking care of her for weeks, she was breathing but she was sleeping for far too long. The girl would meet someone that looked nearly identical to her, clad in red, a devilish smile, saying that the people that punished her are not worthy to enter the City of Mictlan and offered her a Contract to become her Enforcer. In turn, she had only asked that her mother would be at peace. With the snap of her fingers. The girl woke up to her mother's cold hand grasping her. An exchange of lives. The girl would, later on, do the divine will of the Aztecan Death Gods to the point where her mind had fragmented but even when her mind was in this state there are instances that her duty as a crazed grim reaper and the innocent farm girl would never co-exist. She had appeared in various instances throughout Latin America where people are dying, wherever she was, they would die not long after like a peaceful rest. She died at the hands of the Inquisition in the same way she was blessed. Tied, crucified and lashed to death for "taking God's place". Her skin was peeled off from the whips, leaving only bone and all she could muster was the crazed skeletal smile before her owl-like screams echo across the land. Personality: Santa Muerte comes off as a young lady with virtually no mannes but she does have the air of innocence around her, a pretty smile to show her good intentions. She reveals this side of herself to her Master and those she thinks are her Master's allies. Of course one should not be fooled by this wholesome appearance for there is another side to that seemingly sinless smile. This side is supposedly shown towards her enemies, the look of a crazed woman who only knows how to kill. Sadistic? Hardly, she believes that people that sleep forever can live forever in a World governed by the Lord and Lady of Mictlan. Parameters: Strength: D Agility: C Endurance: D Mana: A Luck: D Class Skills Rank B Magic Resistance - Cancel spells with a chant below three verses. Even if targeted by High-Thaumaturgy and Greater Rituals, it is difficult for them to be affected. Personal Skills Rank A Protection of the Faith - It is a Skill possessed only by those who have sacrificed themselves for a religious view. Despite being a form of divine protection, it is not a blessing from a higher existence. It is the absoluteness of one's body and mind that was born from their beliefs. But if it is too high, it causes abnormalities in the personality. It is for this reason that Santa Muerte isn't always the nice village girl, she actually has psychotic tells, visual changes could be seen with her eyes, hair and clothing for the most part. Rank C Keeper of the Owls - A skill possessed by Lancer that allows her to create owls with pitch black feathers and blue eyes, in Mesoamerican Culture. Owls were depicted as a messenger of death and destruction and at one point, the favored form of Mictlantecuhtli, The Death God of Mictlan. These owls are capable of marking targets for Santa Muerte to track, almost acting like a curse at the cost of the familiar's own life. These owls usually cry or sing and anyone that makes eye contact would be cursed with the mark. The more marks one has, the more their presence can be tracked, like a thread that can be followed. Rank B Affection of the Death Gods - A skill possessed by one being loved by the Lord and Lady of Mictlan: Mictlantecuhtli and Mictecacihuatl. Skills similar to this often grant their chosen, status rank ups, Noble Phantasm permissions, Skill additions and etcetera. In Lancer's case. She was permitted the use of the Noble Phantasm of the Grim Reaper, his scythe which was known to bear the concept of Death as well as granting her a presence similar to the Underworld in Aztec Myth and Folklore, its principle of "death conducting easily against itself" is a common aspect of Underworld understanding. Although not as prominent or powerful as a certain Pseudo-Servant from Ancient Mesopotamia, this allows her to gain a significant advantage over spirits, ghosts, and even Servants. The skill in question synergizes well with her Noble Phantasm. Noble Phantasms: Title: The Wandering Scythe Of Holy Death Rank: B+ Type: Anti-Unit Range: 2-5 Targets: 1 Description: Originally the Noble Phantasm of the Grim Reaper, because of a certain Skill. Santa Muerte is able to utilize the scythe to a certain extent. The scythe itself has the concept of Death and when struck against anything with a soul or a spirit, in essence, it would be similar to cutting lines that represent "life", taking it away as soon as it is cut or traced. Upon a True Name Release, Luck no longer plays the part, all that matters is if her opponent can dodge a truly fatal blow. However one does not necessarily have to invoke its true name for the scythe to hack away at someone's life force. While not being able to cut lines of "life" without invoking its Name. It does however cut away one's force of providence, essentially lowering their Luck stat and increasing their chances of dying in general. While it does not grant Lancer the ability to see these lines, it does however do that on its own. Her legend stems around the girl bringing a scythe, this particular scythe could end a living being's life as if she were cutting a thread of silver. The Lancer class is an unusual container for someone like Santa Muerte to be summoned in. In this container, she is only allowed to be the summoned with the scythe and all her other Noble Phantasms sealed behind.</s> <\|message\|>Uddøde hær af Hjörvarđr (Undead Army of Heoroweard) Caster of Red - Skuld A small smile graced Caster's face as her ideas were approved of. It seemed that even despite her reserved nature, praise had its desired effect on her. Or, maybe she was just really hoping to make a good impression on her master. Either way, she would look a bit happier as she raised the unfinished chocolate to her lips and bit into it, dull eyes conveying nothing, but her lively ears sprung up and down for a brief instant. "Let us be off then. I cannot leave you alone with another servant. Not until I'm certain we can trust them. I walk in your shadow, my Master," Caster stated, entering her spirit form and following Jacob. The ancient master could sense the transient state of the mana that comprised Caster's form was trailing behind him at a respectful distance, perhaps fearing to cause discomfort to her master... Or, perhaps she was just walking slowly to savor the lingering taste of chocolate and caramel. Either way, there was nothing to indicate that Caster had anything but the best intentions for her Master, which, if Jacob had already been privy to her True Name already was true to her nature. A being that was loyal to their master to an obssessive degree, willing to topple nations, to destroy her own family, to wage war against the world simply because she was asked to... That is who Skuld was. And that is who she shall remain forevermore. A beast that didn't question why out of morality, but of efficiency. A servant that didn't belong amongst the more heroic members of her team. As such, she wouldn't try to, unless approached about it. Trust wasn't something earned easily, but was something that should never be broken easily.</s> <\|message\|>Yao Ying Xi Oni no Hanzo, by her Master's side, at a discreet cafe. --- Smiling, she held her Master's hand. There was no flurry, fanfare or any grandiose effects, just the changing of the scenery, a single snap as if turning on a light. Hanzo had already brought her Master to an alley close to the cafe she had mentioned, her shadows having already made sure no one was watching. This was the true usage of her Noble Phantasm, perhaps an abysmal one compared to the other Heroes with far stronger mysteries at their disposal. Hanzo had already changed her appearance, looking more like a foreign tourist now as they headed to the mom and pop cafe. "Here we are Master. It is quite a simple ability is it not?" --- Yao Ying Xi, Mansion's courtyard. --- "Yes. Though it is much more than that." The flow was predominantly yin, growing stronger as she walked towards her servant. Of course, her servant's entire being was yin, but this one was stronger, as if it was a demon of some sort. Was it that detestable mage? "The sun mirror, while mostly being used to focus sunlight to start kindling, can also function as the moon mirror, whose purpose is to collect dew by moonlight. And the moon mirror can be used as the sun mirror. In essence, they are one, reflecting different sides of a whole." She was silent for a moment as she recognized the figure she was approaching. "What I'm trying to say is, my work relies on the balances and imbalances of the two, and as water, you have the ability to influence them greatly. It will be both a great boon and a curse. Please be mindful of that." "Greetings. Have you business with Saber?" Ying Xi spoke as she neared Farren, her eyes glancing sharply at his Servant.</s>	<\|message\|>La Parca De Mictlan "Hi Master! I am Lancer, not your typical one but my weapon gets the job done~" Wherever the Location is A pillar light bursts forth from the ground. A light just enough to bother her closed eyelids, even if her body and mental strain were killing her. The light was tempting enough for her to take a peek, to open those eyes to see a beautiful young lady in blue appear before her. Raven hair, sapphire accents, a skirt that similarly emulates the petals of a lily growing upside-down. Her soft, peaceful smile kneeling down to meet her Master's visage. It looked innocent. Like someone that doesn't belong in war, someone that needed to be kept behind a wall, far from all the chaos that will ensue, and yet behind her was a long polearm, a curved blade stretching out near the end- a scythe. How peculiar for a Lancer to be summoned wielding one. Although now that she would have seen the gargantuan weapon behind her. The context behind the pretty girl's smile turned into a different kind, that perhaps that smile was perhaps the work of a fanatic, a cultist whose sole purpose is to bring death wherever she will go. The bright blue eyes were hypnotizing for a moment before the look of insanity subtly settling in between the windows of her ethereal soul. "Oh dear, oh dear, my Master is in pain." She answered, her hands gripping her shoulders, shaking them. A frown forming ever so slowly on her face, a look of worry that she manages. "Please wake up, Master. It's such a waste to summon me only for you to sleep! This War has just begun, no? You don't want to miss it right? I don't want to see you in pain." The shaking was fast, intensifying. If she wasn't going to wake up soon, she might take some more drastic measures.</s>
<\|description\|>Simone Ulmer Simone Ulmer --- --- Character Summary Rank: Trooper Aliases: None Age: 19 Birth Place: Neuben Gender: Female Occupation before the war: Farmer --- --- Appearance Height: 5'9" Weight: 130 lbs Build: Thin Eyes: Brown Hair: Brown Tattoos/Scars: Personal Style: Fusses over her uniform, making sure that it looks as good as it can given the circumstances. Usually ornaments her outfits in some small way, be it with a wildflower, a discarded feather, or even a bit of paper folded in a pleasing way. --- --- Psychology Relationship Status: Single Personality: Cheery, but with a snarky streak as long as her arm. Has a flair for the dramatic Habits: Has to make a conscious effort to not be looking around, drum her fingers, or some other similar fidget. Hobbies: Poetry, Reading, Woodcarving Fears: Being Imprisoned, Starvation Likes: Candy, Theater, Birds Dislikes: Cattle (But not beef), snow, chestnuts --- --- Cards On The Table General or Specialty Skills: Experienced forager and scrounger. Skilled at making repairs.Passable in horsemanship and saber fighting but an excellent shot. What Is On Your Person: * Clothing - Issued dragoon uniform , matching saddle and blanket. Also wears chest bindings under her clothing. * Weapons - Dragoons sabre, carbine, and a pistol. * Personal Items - A cigarette case containing a family portrait drawn by her sister and a protective charm from her parents. Her initials have been etched into it, but it is otherwise a plain metal case. Contains no actual smoking material. --- --- History The Reason You Become a Soldier: For the freedom of Rhaetia! And to help protect her family. History: Destitution hung over the Ulmer family like a cloud. Despite her parent's best efforts at farming, injury, blight, and even floods left the Ulmers constantly scrambling to survive. Before she started school, Simone collected watercress on the riverbank with her mother. Her older sister brought her along to help garner sympathy as they panhandled. As girls her age started noticing which boys they liked, she was with her father picking through garbage piles for scrap metal and fuel. During a particularly harsh winter, the family even moved into the barn so the fuel they used to cook could keep the animals warm. The youngest child in the family, Simone grew up used to this life. Hand-me-downs were a fact of life, and even tiny luxuries like sweets were jealously guarded if not immediately consumed. She discovered a smile and some carefully chosen words could often let her stretch out her few coins at the market. She even joined her father and brother when hunting, helping them evade game wardens while they carried their illicit bounty home. Still, she managed to eke out a few moments of pleasure, mainly listening to the old men spin tales at the local tavern, and watching traveling actors on market days. It gave her a pleasant distraction to think back on during the more mind numbing parts of her life, and she managed to memorize some popular plays line by line. Particular favorite plays were that told stories of old Rhaetian heroes, which naturally became more and more common as the rhetoric against the empire grew. It was no surprise when the Declaration of Independence finally reached the Neuben. While her family was usually too busy worrying about their immediate needs to be concerned about larger politics, the flurry of activity surrounding it was a boon. Simone's mother and sister quickly found work making all the gear a soldier needs. The fortune of the family farm had picked up, the weather cooperating and the harvest growing in thick and lush. Their horse had given birth a few years prior, just in time to be trained and sold. However, Simone wanted to fight, to emulate the heroes in the plays she saw so often. With the nearest regiment being formed being the 6th Dragoon, she realized the only way she would be able to join would be to bring her own horse. So, with the blessing of her parents, she took their new horse and rode off towards the muster point, ready to undergo the training to become a dragoon. --- --- Additional Characters Character 1: Trooper Herman Jager, former Neuben constable Character 2: Trooper Edda Klee, classmate and daughter of local smith Character 3: Trooper Dorthy Blum, classmate and neighboring farmer --- --- Extras Character Quote: "Look, we can do this. Just need to work at it." Theme Song: N/A Anything Else:</s> <\|message\|>Frederick Hecht "You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having both at once." * Chapter One - Baptism of Fire</s> <\|message\|>Frederick Hecht Chapter 1 Baptism of Fire --- To say that Frederick felt nervous would have an a colossal understatement. He had been nervous when he proposed to his fiancee, or when he had asked her father for her hand in marriage. He had been nervous the first time he kissed a girl and the first time he had ridden a horse. No, this was not nervousness, this was fear. For three days now the 6th Dragoons had been riding Northeast along the main coach road, all the world drowned out by the noise of thousands of steel shod hooves clattering on the flagstone. They could not see the enemy, nor smell him, but they could hear him. The occasional "boom" of a distant cannon told them all that the war was still on. Rumours circulating throughout the regiment had been confirmed by the Lieutenant that morning, Imperial troops were trying to force the bridge at Darmstadt. The town had a sizeable garrison, a narrow bridge, and steep river banks to protect it. It was no place for cavalry. Instead, in a cloud of dust, a trooper from the 3rd Dragoons had arrived that morning with orders for the 6th to begin riding north. They were ordered to parallel the river, in an effort to find another crossing and perhaps turn the enemy flank, or the very least relieve the pressure on the garrison at Darmstadt. "Sergeant Hecht!" He was startled out of his thought by the crashing bark of Captain Kraus who was cantering along the column toward them. Like the rest of the regiment he already looked woebegone, the green dye having run into his white pants, and the cheap metal helmet showed signs of damage already. "Sir!" Hecht identified himself, raising a hand unnecessarily, almost like a school boy in class when the teacher called his name. He jerked his hand down quickly; the Captain ignored the motion. "Take your Squadron and relieve Sergeant Paulsen, he has C Squadron scouting ahead of this mess." He gestured to the mismatched trail behind them. Mess was being generous, the two infantry regiments that had come with them were more a series of gaggles strung out along the roadway. The only two nine pounder guns that could be spared were being towed even further back by lame looking oxen that out likely not even make good eating. What a way to ride to war. "Yes sir." It was all he could say as he turned his horse off the road and into the rolling green grass that made this particular part of the country an absolute cavalry paradise. In truth he was happy to be here, and even more so now that he was off the road. Yes, he was afraid, but a small part of him could not ignore the grand adventure he was now on. "D Squadron, with me!" The men and women of his small command swung their own mounts off the road and followed him into the long grass. He could hear more than a few sighs of relief. Riding on flagstone tended to jar your back at the best of times. They rode in silence for the next several minutes, two thin lines of horsemen on the massive expanse of green. Other squadrons watched them go with something akin to jealousy. The whole regiment wanted to be riding in search of the enemy but spare mounts were scarce and the Colonel had forbidden any free range riding. There was always some infantryman who would like to fill a saddle, but horses to mount them on were almost as rare as good cannon. It did not take them long to reach the head of the column and Hecht quickly spotted Sergeant Paulsen, a dour looking older man with a head of grey hair, drooping moustache and runny nose. He commanded the current scouts and cast a disgusted eye over the troopers who rode behind Hecht. "How the hell we're expected to win a war with this..." He jutted his chin toward the line of horsemen, Hecht strongly suspected Paulsen meant the female troopers who were quite evidently a woman beneath her helmet. "I will never know." "Well, we can't all be possessed of the wisdom of old age, yet." Hecht retorted, blushing slightly as he heard someone snigger behind him. "You are relieved." He continued before the older Sergeant could reply. Paulsen gave him a glare that could have killed before violently wrenching his horses around so violently that it squealed in pain, shouting at his own squadron to follow him. A few of them offered waves as they rode by, but the majority just looked tired. "Right, up to us then. Welser, Schuster, Ulmer, you're up front. The rest of you fan out on either side of the roadway. Stay within eyesight of each other. We're looking for a ford, which means we need to get to the river. If you run into trouble, don't play hero, get back here and we'll deal with it." There was a smattering of "Yes Sergeant" and the Squadron broke up, riding ahead of the column, hooves now sinking slightly into the fresh earth. This truly was the breadbasket of empire. There was little cover for anyone among the rolling hills, though dead ground was all around. Ahead, Hecht was not quite sure how far, was the river. Here the road would turn North and continue to match the river but at a distance to great to spot any useful ford. They would be forced to leave the roadway. A thick band of trees, now only a dark green smear on the edge of the brighter green hills, marked the river itself. Smoke could be seen some ways further north, likely the sight of a village, and villages sometimes meant river crossings. Hecht checked his sabre to make sure it was loose in the scabbard, tugged out his carbine and ensured it was loaded, and then rode forward along the verge of the roadway. Trooper Sperber, trumpet thumping into his thigh, rode close behind.</s> <\|message\|>Theodor Wolfgang Schuster Teddy thought is was a beautiful day. The sun was up, the air was crisp, and he got to ride with two beautiful girls. Even though he had no courage to tell them so he still felt somehow masculinized in their company, so he sat up straighter in his saddle and puffed his chest up in the hopes it made him look more handsome. Trooper Ulmer, Simone, was to his left, with her neat uniform and straight back riding; and Trooper Welser, Anja, was to his right with her blond hair, blue eyes, and general badassery. They were moving at a hard cantor and so the noise of their horses prevented conversation, but even so Teddy felt like part of a unit with these girls. They were almost friends, or something like friends. They had been riding together for about a month under Sergeant Hecht and seemed to be able to communicate well as long as there were orders to follow. During this last month of training in basic soldiery the group showed real promise as a team, anyone watching could see it was true. However, the Squadron hadn't seen any real action yet, and real violence changes things. For Teddy it was still as if the war was some abstract idea off in the future, but now, as they were riding to engage the enemy, everyone was starting to get nervous. Teddy was well familiar the fact that anxiety did not make for easy friendships. But nonetheless, the day was still beautiful, and Teddy couldn't ask for better company, or a better horse. Sir Briggs might not have been purchased with the best pedigree but the charger had quickly affirmed its quality in terms of speed, strength, and the strange affection he had quickly developed with his young rider. Together they rode towards the smoke billowing off in the distance. The smoke spoke of a village, and a village spoke of a possible river crossing. Finding an easy crossing for their troops would put them in position to flank a large force of Tallion soldiers, and if Teddy could take credit for the find he would. As scouts the other two were allowed to branch off and ride for themselves but Teddy was focused on that village and the hope it presented, even if it meant three or fours hours of hard riding both ways. Two thoughts prioritized themselves: First, would there be a crossing that could support over 1000 troops, horses, and their heavy guns; and Second, do the folks in the village support the Empire or the upstart Rebellion? If anyone from the village reports to the Empire the location of Rhaetian soldiers then any hope of surprise would be lost and the regiment would surely be slaughtered by the larger force, discretion and speed were key. The thought of impending death gave Teddy a painful, cold feeling in his gut. --- Teddy gave some exposition and he is heading to the village. He doesn't know if there is a crossing at the village that'll support the troops and he doesn't know if the villagers support the rebellion or the Empire. I'll post more after you guys.</s>	<\|message\|>Simone Ulmer After days of uneventful riding, Simone was glad for a task to occupy her attention. The excitement of her first deployment was already wearing thin under the constant grind of the march. It was certainly something the great bards of the stage had neglected to include in their performances. Still, the day itself was pleasant enough, and with some distance from the main body of the group the air had cleared of the worst of the dust such a large mass of men stirred up. Quickly patting her breast pocket to check for the umpteenth time she had her cigarette case with her, she rode ahead of the rest of the squadron. With Wesler and Schuseter to her right, she kept her head on a swivel, looking for any sign of a path towards the river or danger. The smoke in the distance seemed like a promising place to find a village with a ford, or at least people to ask where to find one. On the other hand, this was the closest the group had been to Imperial forces, and it was entirely possible the village was already occupied. For all they knew, there were Imperial scouts in the woods near the river watching them. All she could do was keep her eyes open, and hope that any sharpshooters missed, and hope the knot of nerves in her belly didn't develop into anything worse.</s>
<\|description\|>Anja Luise Welser Anja Welser --- --- Character Summary Rank: Trooper Aliases: None Age: Twenty Birth Place: The Hamlet of Vorteham Gender: Female Occupation before the war: Farmhand --- --- Appearance Height: 5' 8" Weight: 152 lb Build: Broad and athletic, given a robust and naturally cultivated musculature due to her upbringing and life thus far. Eyes: Blue Hair: Blonde Tattoos/Scars: No major ones of either, although her hands are slightly calloused yet softer than one may expect, and she has a nice pink scar on her right thigh. Personal Style: As comfortable as possible, and what many would consider 'rustic' and 'rural' when she isn't in uniform. --- --- Psychology Relationship Status: Single Personality: Enduring, generous, honest and humble but also somewhat immature, guarded and not all that accepting of orders/authority in general. Habits: Often speaks somewhat too loudly, can be overly aggressive to others, and attempts to show others – especially those of higher social standing – how 'tough' and 'strong' she is. Hobbies: Wrestling/rough-housing, drinking, honest labour and good conversation, sewing and rudimentary cooking. Fears: Death, injury or harm to her family, becoming aged and weak, and captivity. She also can't swim. Likes: The outdoors/nature, hard work, boys, good food and drink, family and friends. Dislikes: Authority and the upper classes AKA those that look down at her, nosey individuals and gossips, cities and enclosed spaces. --- --- Cards On The Table General or Speciality Skills: Bush craft/outdoorsmanship, pretty good shot if not remarkable, fundamental tracking skills combined with good eyesight, and although not a 'skill' she does possess a level of fitness above and beyond what should plausibly be possessed by a farmgirl. What Is On Your Person: * Clothing - Issued dragoon uniform of green jacket with black facings, black pants with white strip, matching saddle and blanket. * Weapons- Dragoons sabre, carbine, and a pistol. * Personal Items- A small battered portrait of her parents and two sisters, a silver flagon should she ever need one, and a small clay pipe. --- --- History The Reason You Become a Soldier: To serve her burgeoning nation and protect those within it, and to bring some small hint of fame to her family. History: Anja was born the eldest daughter of an immigrant Tallian veteran and his Rhaetian bride, followed not long after by two younger sisters, her father Yeromeyev Yumashevovich swiftly shedding his own name in favour of a more native one and settling on his wife's family name of Welser. Since she was old enough to hold a scythe or a hoe Anja has worked her fathers farmland just outside of Vorteham, a small hamlet with a close-knit community and a place where the taverns are never fully empty, she out of all her siblings taking most after her father in attitude and temperament... if not her fathers love. She grew up more-or-less fearless, enjoying wrestling (among other things) with the local boys, priding herself on her endurance and strength while still taking part in more feminine pursuits with her mother – a woman far wiser and in touch with reality than her father ever has been! When plans for a Republic were announced, and a mad rush for all volunteers sent out across the territory, Anja leapt at the chance, bored of her current state of affairs and keen for adventure; although not a keen rider, and very rural in her style at that, she was capable of riding a horse and saw no reason not to enter the life of a soldier. Her father was very much against it, both due to her gender and out of fear for her life, their parting full of stinging words and bitter goodbyes. Nevertheless she took only what she needed to reach the mustering point, and joined a trail of the hamlets young men as they together rode to war. Oh how she thought she was prepared, her father had told enough stories after all, but how wrong she was. --- --- Additional Characters Character 1: Gerhard Hielscher, local farmhand. Character 2: Padre Yannik Pfaff, the hamlets spiritual leader. Character 3: Old Ruprecht, local drunk and apparent war hero, though this has never been proven.</s> <\|message\|>Theodor Wolfgang Schuster Teddy thought is was a beautiful day. The sun was up, the air was crisp, and he got to ride with two beautiful girls. Even though he had no courage to tell them so he still felt somehow masculinized in their company, so he sat up straighter in his saddle and puffed his chest up in the hopes it made him look more handsome. Trooper Ulmer, Simone, was to his left, with her neat uniform and straight back riding; and Trooper Welser, Anja, was to his right with her blond hair, blue eyes, and general badassery. They were moving at a hard cantor and so the noise of their horses prevented conversation, but even so Teddy felt like part of a unit with these girls. They were almost friends, or something like friends. They had been riding together for about a month under Sergeant Hecht and seemed to be able to communicate well as long as there were orders to follow. During this last month of training in basic soldiery the group showed real promise as a team, anyone watching could see it was true. However, the Squadron hadn't seen any real action yet, and real violence changes things. For Teddy it was still as if the war was some abstract idea off in the future, but now, as they were riding to engage the enemy, everyone was starting to get nervous. Teddy was well familiar the fact that anxiety did not make for easy friendships. But nonetheless, the day was still beautiful, and Teddy couldn't ask for better company, or a better horse. Sir Briggs might not have been purchased with the best pedigree but the charger had quickly affirmed its quality in terms of speed, strength, and the strange affection he had quickly developed with his young rider. Together they rode towards the smoke billowing off in the distance. The smoke spoke of a village, and a village spoke of a possible river crossing. Finding an easy crossing for their troops would put them in position to flank a large force of Tallion soldiers, and if Teddy could take credit for the find he would. As scouts the other two were allowed to branch off and ride for themselves but Teddy was focused on that village and the hope it presented, even if it meant three or fours hours of hard riding both ways. Two thoughts prioritized themselves: First, would there be a crossing that could support over 1000 troops, horses, and their heavy guns; and Second, do the folks in the village support the Empire or the upstart Rebellion? If anyone from the village reports to the Empire the location of Rhaetian soldiers then any hope of surprise would be lost and the regiment would surely be slaughtered by the larger force, discretion and speed were key. The thought of impending death gave Teddy a painful, cold feeling in his gut. --- Teddy gave some exposition and he is heading to the village. He doesn't know if there is a crossing at the village that'll support the troops and he doesn't know if the villagers support the rebellion or the Empire. I'll post more after you guys.</s> <\|message\|>Simone Ulmer After days of uneventful riding, Simone was glad for a task to occupy her attention. The excitement of her first deployment was already wearing thin under the constant grind of the march. It was certainly something the great bards of the stage had neglected to include in their performances. Still, the day itself was pleasant enough, and with some distance from the main body of the group the air had cleared of the worst of the dust such a large mass of men stirred up. Quickly patting her breast pocket to check for the umpteenth time she had her cigarette case with her, she rode ahead of the rest of the squadron. With Wesler and Schuseter to her right, she kept her head on a swivel, looking for any sign of a path towards the river or danger. The smoke in the distance seemed like a promising place to find a village with a ford, or at least people to ask where to find one. On the other hand, this was the closest the group had been to Imperial forces, and it was entirely possible the village was already occupied. For all they knew, there were Imperial scouts in the woods near the river watching them. All she could do was keep her eyes open, and hope that any sharpshooters missed, and hope the knot of nerves in her belly didn't develop into anything worse.</s>	<\|message\|>Anja Luise Welser Truly this day was a glorious one thought Anja to herself - everything from the very scent of the churned up earth around them, to the mingled sounds and noises of straining 'soldiers' and their equipment present on every side of the 6th Dragoons as they rode - the country-raised and lowborn rider even being somewhat able to ignore the ache in her lower back from both the poorly maintained road and her own relaxed posture atop her mount. Deep in conversation with Trooper Yannik, she only started paying proper attention to her surroundings while watching Captain Kraus speak to their own Sergeant Hecht, a handsome man who she was told had been given his rank almost purely by mistake; both he and their Captain were people she personally believed she could rely on, one a former horse trader and the other, more reltably to her own situation, being previously a farmer in his civilian days. Thoughts like this prompted Anja to give a curt excuse of silence to her townsman and glance across the dishevelled ranks to Trooper Ulmer - her uniform as well kept as ever even on campaign it seemed - the slender young lady from Neuben having given her many bouts of laughter during their initial training, although claiming to be as much of the soil as herself there was nevertheless something distinctly patrician about the dark-haired waif of a Rhaetian... The shout of her immediate superior snapped Anja from her reverie, the entirety of D Squadron following him off the road (thank the Lord!) And into terrain much more beneficial to Anja, her mount, and to their role overall. It was unfortunate therefore that they had to come across that old fossil Sergeant Paulsen, her lip peeling back beneath her brass helmet and its bedraggled crest as the two leaders exchanged words, but quickly relaxing again as Hecht made his verbal retort. This prompted a somewhat louder-than-helpful snigger and snort of air from Anja, the farmers daughter unable to hold it in, a smirk replacing her grimace as C Squadron rode past and disappeared back toward the main body. Moments later and the order was given, the order that Anja in particular had been waiting for, an order that allowed somewhat of a degree of freedom to each Dragoon. Some feeling tried to make itself known in the pit of her stomach, it could have been fear, excitement, or something else, in any case she quickly squashed it into being as small as possible while concentrating on her orders. A swift check of equipment, just as they had been shown not so long ago, made Anja feel a little better - her sabre was loose but no too loose, her helmet was secure on her head, and her carbine was within easy reach - the only thing that bothered her beside the entire situation of this war was that her jacket still fit quite snug aboyt her frame; it had obviously been made for a man, a young one, but not for a woman of her stature and she hated it. In a rather odd turn of her mind she looked to Trooper Schuster, or 'Teddy' as he was affectionately known, and caught his eye before giving the shortest of their scouting party a full-toothed smile, her feelings for him and his general uneasy state a fraction motherly - though she would never admit to this - and a portion more... not so. Something about the way he acted around the female soldiers, the easy jibes and teasing that could be performed in such situations, never failing to make Anja smile. "Good hunting," she said to her fellow scouts, perhaps a little more loudly than was prudent, digging her heels in and giving a click of her tongue to the dappled grey mare between her thighs, pulling on the reins strongly enough to direct the stubborn lass toward the thick band of trees marking the rivers course. Halfway toward the trees and she paused, still as still could be, finally turning about in her saddle and looking back toward the others. "I plan to follow this until we reach the village, into the woods and off we go," once more she was probably a lot louder than was safe, but she wasn't dead yet and that gave her a burst of possibly misplaced bravado, "I would feel much safer with a strong young man by my side.... and Simone can come too, if she wishes." The last comment was clearly an afterthought, but it did not do to upset others too much.</s>
<\|description\|>Elise Hydaelyn \|\| ♀ \|\| 25 \|\| Princess of Eorzia \|\| _________________________________________________________________________________</s> <\|message\|>Elise Hydaelyn Elise Hydaelyn, the princess of Eorzia and youngest daughter to King Regis was about to take on a new adventure and head into unknown land. One thing she kept telling herself was that this was all for peace and that it did not matter what happened to her. It was to stop a war that had been raging for quite the century. It had been agreed that to broker a peace a union would happen, a marriage between to Kingdoms that had been at war for as long as people could remember. Eorzia was sustaining itself, just. They had vast amounts of land and plenty of crops enough to feed their Kingdom for a few years. Soldiers and magic, however, weren't as easy to come by. Sure, the Kingdom had enough men to protect its defences, but to keep a war going they needed fresh new soldiers who could wield magic which had become all the more difficult with their missing artifact, stolen at some point during the many years of war. It was becoming much harder to keep the magic alive throughout their lands and it was beginning to show. A plan had been made, the King had hoped it would call the other Kingdoms bluff at first, create a break in the defence for him to get the upper hand but it had done the opposite and now was offering his daughter to them in a marriage pact. The King hoped that offering a peace treaty through marriage meant they would decline, him declining could have meant people potentially rebelling over this Kingdom not accepting a peaceful way to resolve this. It was meant to be quite the bold move on his part and work, but that had not been the case, there was no decline, in fact there was a counteroffer and King Regis was left with no choice but to accept as he didn't want to be the one declining peace and showing weakness. There was also the plus side of ending this long-drawn-out war that had to have taken its toll on both the Kingdoms. As word spread about the peace between Kingdoms it was hard to back down, Regis had arranged for his daughter through many ambassadors to visit the other Kingdom ahead of any preparations so they could meet one another before they would sign the treaty at the wedding. It felt right that to him that they got to know each other before any sort of union. "Stupid father, what an absolute idiot. How could he do this to me?" Grumbling to herself quietly as she looked out the window of her carriage, she had been sent with an escort into what was once enemy territory to have her first meeting with him. Her father would join a day later for two reasons, one in case it was a trap and two he still had a few loose ends to tie up as a country didn't run itself. Thinking back to when she was told she had remembered her anger about the idea of the marriage, the fury and then tears. Her hand curled into a fist as she remembered that day. __ "My dearest daughter Elise." A gruff voice come from the doorway of her room, smiling up at her father she gestured him inside as she turned from the seat at her table wondering what had brought him here. "Father, to what do I owe this visit?" "I have managed to find a way of peace which would be beneficial to both Kingdoms. A way to stop this long-drawn-out war." Hesitating with his words as he stepped further inside the room pacing towards the window, he glanced at his daughter wondering how to approach the subject. "I have arranged something, to keep the peace I have… promised your hand to them." Snapping her head around to her father, the King, she frowned anger rising. "You did what!? Why couldn't you marry of my brother? Surely the heir to the throne is far more important than me!" Slamming her book down against the table she was outraged, arranged marriages were common but it didn't mean she had to like it. The idea of it was just not something that sat right with her and she had kind of hoped that she did not have to go through with something like that. Of course, she was wrong, but she had been working on putting the idea into their heads in hopes it meant she could avoid such a fate. "It's the only way. You will be leaving in a couple of days to go meet with him. There is no fighting against this." "YOU COWARD! NO WONDER YOU COULDN'T WIN THE WAR!" Shouting her outrage as her father left quite quickly after breaking the news, she had thrown the book just as the door had shut behind him, narrowly missing him in the process. Clearly he had not wanted to stay much longer knowing it would only cause a fight. __ Sighing to herself as she shook her head from the memory, she did not want to think on it anymore as she felt the carriage come to a stop, glancing back out the window the scenery was vastly different to Eorzia and she felt a pang of guilt for not saying goodbye to her father before she travelled, but she pushed it aside quickly reminding herself this was his fault. Looking at the carriage door as it opened, she was helped out of the carriage by a few soldiers that had accompanied her on the long ride. It had taken a couple of days to get here but the journey had been quite smooth, there had been no attacks throughout the whole journey which she found quite surprising and a little disheartening that she'd have to go through with this. As she stretched her legs, it felt good to be out of the carriage, but the pit in her stomach began to rise as she realised who she was about to meet. Though she knew she had to stay strong and not show weakness. Brushing out the creases of her dress she knew that there was no escaping this, she was about to meet her soon to be husband. Not liking that phrase at all. Maybe if I just run? Go into hiding? Perhaps under the cover of darkness. Getting lost in her thoughts as she approached her impending doom the Princess began to think on ways she could potentially escape this fate her father had sealed for her.</s> <\|message\|>Liam Snyder At first glance one wouldn't be able to tell that the kingdom of Helilin had been in the middle of a war for years. It clearly was on the winning side of the conflict. The buildings, though having been destroyed time and time again showed no signs of damage. The fields thriving as were the magics that kept the kingdom well defended and gave their soldiers their strength. Of course it did help that not only did King Sebastian have his own magical artifact, but the artifact of Eorzia kept tightly under lock and key as well. However, as they say, first glances are often the most deceiving. The king was considered more of a tyrant, often running his kingdom and family as if it was losing the war they were clearly winning. His citizens were already beginning to rebel before the enemy kingdom sent the offer of marriage for peace, to refuse the offer would be a death sentence. Though perhaps the death sentence of his father would be better than unknowing being thrown into a possible marriage agreement with the enemy. Perhaps it was wrong for Liam to think such things, maybe even more wrong for him to say such things to his father's face. He was sporting a rather nice size gash under his eye for it. Though finding out that his new wife was coming to meet him only a day before her arrival was very frustrating. His mind went back to the night before as his light blue eyes watched the carriage as it entered the city gates from the small balcony off his room. --- Liam had been in the courtyard most of the day, he often sent his days here. If not in training then simply to be outside.Though at the moment he was in combat training. Though Liam was gifted with magic, he insisted on knowing his way around a sword. There was never telling when an attack was going to come. His father thought it was useless and never joined him, yet another plus. So it was a surprise when his father interrupted the training, taking up a sword and shooing the trainer. "This is a surprise." Liam said, smiling a touch as he raised his sword and got into his stance. "I don't find many opportunities to speak with you without your mother stepping in." His father answered. Liam raised a brow at this, but soon they were fencing. He would be lying if he were to say that even now he was having trouble keeping up with his father. "What is so important for her to not be here?" "I found a way to stop the rebellion and the wars." He let Liam get a hit on him and they stopped for a moment before getting back into stance. "You're going to marry the princess of Eorzia." Liam dropped stance immediately. "I'm WHAT?! I am not marrying some weak little princess for your idea of peace and attempt to save yourself, you coward!" He yelled at his father. It was outrageous. Before he even had a choice to realize it, his father swiped the sword cutting under Liam's eye with the hilt of the sword. Though it wouldn't leave a scar it hurt like hell and left a nice little gash. "I am no coward, and you will take no such tone with me. You'll understand when you are older. She will be here tomorrow and you will be there." With that, he left Liam. --- The sound of the carriage coming to a stop drew his attention back to the present, his eyes narrowing slightly as he watched the guards that were with her carriage open the door. The blonde princess stepped out and smoothed her dress. He hated to admit that she looked quite beautiful from where he was standing. Watching her for a moment as she seemed to be debating on running or not. Part of him hoped that she would, sure she would probably be brought back before she got far, but there was still some hope. As she started towards the doors he sighed making his way down to the entry. His room wasn't very far and by the time he had got there she had only been there for a few moments. He could tell from the fact his mother was still in her curtsy. His mother no doubt was the light in their castle. Liam couldn't help but look his new wife over as his mother prattled on with a mixture of disinterest and curiosity. "My aren't you just a beauty. I had heard rumors that Regis had a pretty daughter. It must have been such a long journey. After we are all done, I'll have Liam show you where you can rest for a while dear." "You're late." His father said annoyingly as Liam came to stand beside him. Liam frowned a little and mumbled that it was only for a moment. Which got him an angrier look before Sebastian looked back at the princess. "Arabell, Arabell!" The queen frowned and stopped talking looking at him. "I have things to do princess, so you will excuse me. Welcome to our home." He said matter factly before pushing Liam forward a bit and leaving the three of them. Liam's mother grabbed his arm pulling him forward more happily to the princess. "Of course, Liam is very happy to meet you my dear. Isn't that right? If you'll excuse me though, I simply must talk to my husband." The queen said before leaving the two of them alone and angrily going after her husband. Liam frowned slightly for a moment before giving a small bow to her. "Welcome princess. I'm afraid I didn't catch your name when I found out about this yesterday."</s>	<\|message\|>Elise Hydaelyn This is where I will die, I can feel it. I sense it. Elise couldn't help but think that with each step she took approaching the castle that housed the other royals they had been at war with for quite some time. Arthur her elder brother had expressed his opinions on this matter of marriage, but her father hadn't listened to him and thus her fate had been sealed by coming here. In all honesty she was certain her brother didn't really fight hard for it, the marriage would mean he wouldn't have to deal with any sort of war whilst running the Kingdom he was due to inherit from father and they all knew it was an easy way out just at her expense. Though there wasn't much she could do about it now, not until at least nightfall where she could consider hatching a plan of escape though she would have to be very careful about it and not give them any indication that she was looking to do as such. Knowing that she would have to play it smart, take in her surroundings and start to understand the layout she bowed her head politely with a bright smile upon her face as she met with the King and Queen. Inside she was scared, feeling worried for the fact she didn't know anything about these people and what they could do to her but so far it didn't appear like any sort of trap though she wouldn't let her guard down. "Oh my, thank you for such a compliment. Though you should see my elder sister Madeline, she turns quite a few heads herself." It was true, her elder sister was stunning, but already married. Another alliance her father had set up in hopes to bring more soldiers to their side of the war and though it brought them soldiers and some more income it just wasn't enough to gain the upper hand. "That would be nice, it was quite the journey to get here though we didn't encounter any issues on the ride, but I thank you for welcoming me into your home." Elise stated politely keeping the smile on her face as if she was happy with this deal, glancing over to Liam who had just arrived slipping in behind his father. Though before she could make any sort of opinion the King spoke once more excusing himself as he had things to do and it was then she started to feel just a little bit more awkward which was something she had been trying to avoid. "Oh, right of course." Elise watched as the Queen began to leave after her husband and she couldn't help but hold her tongue at that comment Liam was very happy to meet her. For some reason she didn't quite think that was the entire truth, personally she wasn't all too happy at meeting him but then who knew? Maybe he was thrilled to end the war, marry some foreigner Princess and just go about life. The problem was that she didn't know how he felt on the matter, only how she did, and it was quite negative to the whole idea. Holding back a sigh she looked back at Liam catching the frown before the bow and she followed suit bowing in return her smile faltering ever so slightly. It's going to be tiresome keeping up an act isn't it. Or maybe that's the long journey talking. Thinking bitterly to herself as she found her fingers fiddling with the hem of her sleeve trying to give herself something to focus and not make a fool of herself in front of him. "Ah, thank you. It's a pleasure to finally meet you." Lies, absolute lies that left her mouth so smoothly, but then she was certain that anyone would feel like this in the same situation. "Oh, It's Elise. Elise Hydaelyn. It was Liam, right? I think that was what your mother said before leaving after the King." Glancing back at the carriage she had arrived in she could see the few soldiers and men that had escorted her were packing it away, leading it to where she could only assume they kept the horses and carriages and such. Taking in a quick look at the grounds she found herself thinking on ways she could sneak out under nightfall, but quickly stopped herself to not make it so obvious. "Sorry, it's quite different your home compared to mine. It's interesting to see. I have never ventured out of my own kingdom before so to come quite this far is new to me." Using that as an excuse to cover up any hint of her looking for ways to escape. "I don't suppose you would show me around sometime?" Who better than him to show her around, he would know where everything was and she could try to remember it for later on when she would risk it all in hopes to make an escape.</s>
<\|description\|>Elise Hydaelyn \|\| ♀ \|\| 25 \|\| Princess of Eorzia \|\| _________________________________________________________________________________</s> <\|message\|>Elise Hydaelyn This is where I will die, I can feel it. I sense it. Elise couldn't help but think that with each step she took approaching the castle that housed the other royals they had been at war with for quite some time. Arthur her elder brother had expressed his opinions on this matter of marriage, but her father hadn't listened to him and thus her fate had been sealed by coming here. In all honesty she was certain her brother didn't really fight hard for it, the marriage would mean he wouldn't have to deal with any sort of war whilst running the Kingdom he was due to inherit from father and they all knew it was an easy way out just at her expense. Though there wasn't much she could do about it now, not until at least nightfall where she could consider hatching a plan of escape though she would have to be very careful about it and not give them any indication that she was looking to do as such. Knowing that she would have to play it smart, take in her surroundings and start to understand the layout she bowed her head politely with a bright smile upon her face as she met with the King and Queen. Inside she was scared, feeling worried for the fact she didn't know anything about these people and what they could do to her but so far it didn't appear like any sort of trap though she wouldn't let her guard down. "Oh my, thank you for such a compliment. Though you should see my elder sister Madeline, she turns quite a few heads herself." It was true, her elder sister was stunning, but already married. Another alliance her father had set up in hopes to bring more soldiers to their side of the war and though it brought them soldiers and some more income it just wasn't enough to gain the upper hand. "That would be nice, it was quite the journey to get here though we didn't encounter any issues on the ride, but I thank you for welcoming me into your home." Elise stated politely keeping the smile on her face as if she was happy with this deal, glancing over to Liam who had just arrived slipping in behind his father. Though before she could make any sort of opinion the King spoke once more excusing himself as he had things to do and it was then she started to feel just a little bit more awkward which was something she had been trying to avoid. "Oh, right of course." Elise watched as the Queen began to leave after her husband and she couldn't help but hold her tongue at that comment Liam was very happy to meet her. For some reason she didn't quite think that was the entire truth, personally she wasn't all too happy at meeting him but then who knew? Maybe he was thrilled to end the war, marry some foreigner Princess and just go about life. The problem was that she didn't know how he felt on the matter, only how she did, and it was quite negative to the whole idea. Holding back a sigh she looked back at Liam catching the frown before the bow and she followed suit bowing in return her smile faltering ever so slightly. It's going to be tiresome keeping up an act isn't it. Or maybe that's the long journey talking. Thinking bitterly to herself as she found her fingers fiddling with the hem of her sleeve trying to give herself something to focus and not make a fool of herself in front of him. "Ah, thank you. It's a pleasure to finally meet you." Lies, absolute lies that left her mouth so smoothly, but then she was certain that anyone would feel like this in the same situation. "Oh, It's Elise. Elise Hydaelyn. It was Liam, right? I think that was what your mother said before leaving after the King." Glancing back at the carriage she had arrived in she could see the few soldiers and men that had escorted her were packing it away, leading it to where she could only assume they kept the horses and carriages and such. Taking in a quick look at the grounds she found herself thinking on ways she could sneak out under nightfall, but quickly stopped herself to not make it so obvious. "Sorry, it's quite different your home compared to mine. It's interesting to see. I have never ventured out of my own kingdom before so to come quite this far is new to me." Using that as an excuse to cover up any hint of her looking for ways to escape. "I don't suppose you would show me around sometime?" Who better than him to show her around, he would know where everything was and she could try to remember it for later on when she would risk it all in hopes to make an escape.</s> <\|message\|>Liam Snyder Liam couldn't help but raise his brow when she said it was nice to finally meet him. Was it? He had been foolishly under the impression that she was under the same circumstances as he was. That this was a deal struck against both of their wills. Perhaps he was wrong though. Perhaps she had wanted to actually meet him, he wouldn't be lying if he said the thought of meeting his enemies hadn't crossed his mind. Though it wasn't, quite in this way. Then again maybe this was a power grab for her too. She wasn't going to get her own kingdom after all. "Is it?" He asked, the question had a slight playfully cocky undertone. It was quickly gone though. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you as well." "Yes, Liam Snyder." It was nice to finally get a name behind the face. Smiling slightly he nodded. "My father isn't much of a talkative person, I'm sure he is getting an earful." When he looked back at her, she was looking towards the horses and carriage that was being put away. He used the sober moment of quiet to take her in without his fathers angry grumbles in his ear. She definitely was pretty, though perhaps a bit timid. He wasn't sure how long she would survive in this family this way. Hopefully she had some back bone hidden in that pretty dress somewhere. His eyes moved towards where she was still staring as she looked back at him and spoke. For a moment he thought maybe she was worried about whatever belongings she had brought with her. Though it seemed it was more the fact that their kingdoms were so different. Liam had never actually been in her kingdom before, the few battles he had been in were the attacks on his own. It wasn't something he had thought about much until now. "I'm sure that I can find some time later if you wish. Just the castle grounds though. The city is a whole headache you wouldn't want so soon." He said, tone slightly softer than it had been. The city had been fairly calm as she came in, it was a mixture of the news of a peace marriage and force. Liam offered Elise his arm. "Come Elise, I'll show you where you'll be staying. I'm sure the servants have your belongings there already." Once she took his arm, he led the way that he had come and up the long stairway until stopping at the first door of a short hallway. "If you for some reason need me, I'm at the last door to the left. Mother insisted on us staying close." He said, with a soft huff as he opened the door for her. The room itself was almost a complete contrast of the castle itself. The walls were a soft orange cream color, the only thing which matched the castle were the dark brown wooden floors that ran through the rest of the castle. A small step down at the door made it possible for the ceiling to be just a touch higher than the hallways. Against the middle of the wall sat a large red canopy bed, though even with its size, it did not even take up half of the large room. A small red matching couch across from the bed with a small bookcase next to it. There were two doors, one at either end of the room. One led to a small washroom of her own. The second, which stood open at the moment, with one of the two servant girls hanging up Elise's dresses. Was a large closet. The two girls stopped what they were doing as she entered the room, faces eager and nosey to see the soon to be queen. Though their smiles flattered slightly as Liam cleared his throat. "Privacy." Both girls bowed to Elise before heading out of the room.</s>	<\|message\|>Elise Hydaelyn The cocky undertone didn't go unnoticed and she wondered if he had meant to voice that out loud, questioning her on if it was an actual pleasure to meet him. It had soon been followed with the standard response on how he was pleased to finally meet her, "Well I was just being polite if you want honesty." Stating simple as she shrugged it off to her just being polite and well mannered, without her father here there was no one to reprimand her but she knew she still had to act the part after all as word would spread if she was not acting as a lady should. Listening as he spoke about his father not being talkative and how he would show her around the castle it all seemed pretty mundane talk, but what else could she really talk about when she didn't know him. The only saving grace she had was the fact she had not mentioned the weather. It was interesting to hear about the city being a headache, she could only assume there was some sort of unrest and she wasn't surprised. It had been the same back home; a lot of people were against the arranged marriage whereas some wanted the peace. You couldn't make everyone happy no matter what route was taken when it came to the war. "Thank you." Hesitating for a moment before she took his arm, at least he was being polite in return, so she had hope he wasn't going to be some horrid person. It was common when it came to arranged marriages in her own country, men look at woman like property not that she would let herself be looked at in any such a way, but it would be interesting to find out what kind of person she was going to marry. "That's… considerate of your mother, but I am sure I will not need to impose on you." Trying not to sound displease in any sort of way, but knowing he was close didn't make her feel comfortable. Not when she had plans on conveniently disappearing as it would be hard enough with the guards around, let alone him as well. Moving inside the room she could see it was beautiful, it was clear it was kitted out with the best and even though the colours might not have been something she personally would have chosen it still looked lovely. It was quite the contrast to her own room back home, though she was certain she could call it her room anymore as this was going to be her home forever more. The colours however had been deep greens with silver embellishments something she quite enjoyed. The red would take some getting used too, but she knew she would. Glancing towards the two doors she could see one of them was her wardrobe for all her dresses so it meant the other had to be a washroom, she doubted they would give her a room without one. Letting go of Liam she folded her arms over her chest as she moved into the centre of it just taking it all in before she finally turned to face him eyes narrowed slightly as he called for privacy. "What is it you wish to say to me that you don't want overheard?" Elise didn't beat around the bush if his own home was anything like hers then it only meant that people were likely to talk. Gossip was a big thing in court, and she knew from personal experience how quickly words could get misinterpreted and how quickly they could spread. At times it was often quicker than a wildfire.</s>
<\|description\|>Liam Snyder \|\| 24 \|\| Prince of Helilin \|\| _________________________________________________________________________________</s> <\|message\|>Liam Snyder At first glance one wouldn't be able to tell that the kingdom of Helilin had been in the middle of a war for years. It clearly was on the winning side of the conflict. The buildings, though having been destroyed time and time again showed no signs of damage. The fields thriving as were the magics that kept the kingdom well defended and gave their soldiers their strength. Of course it did help that not only did King Sebastian have his own magical artifact, but the artifact of Eorzia kept tightly under lock and key as well. However, as they say, first glances are often the most deceiving. The king was considered more of a tyrant, often running his kingdom and family as if it was losing the war they were clearly winning. His citizens were already beginning to rebel before the enemy kingdom sent the offer of marriage for peace, to refuse the offer would be a death sentence. Though perhaps the death sentence of his father would be better than unknowing being thrown into a possible marriage agreement with the enemy. Perhaps it was wrong for Liam to think such things, maybe even more wrong for him to say such things to his father's face. He was sporting a rather nice size gash under his eye for it. Though finding out that his new wife was coming to meet him only a day before her arrival was very frustrating. His mind went back to the night before as his light blue eyes watched the carriage as it entered the city gates from the small balcony off his room. --- Liam had been in the courtyard most of the day, he often sent his days here. If not in training then simply to be outside.Though at the moment he was in combat training. Though Liam was gifted with magic, he insisted on knowing his way around a sword. There was never telling when an attack was going to come. His father thought it was useless and never joined him, yet another plus. So it was a surprise when his father interrupted the training, taking up a sword and shooing the trainer. "This is a surprise." Liam said, smiling a touch as he raised his sword and got into his stance. "I don't find many opportunities to speak with you without your mother stepping in." His father answered. Liam raised a brow at this, but soon they were fencing. He would be lying if he were to say that even now he was having trouble keeping up with his father. "What is so important for her to not be here?" "I found a way to stop the rebellion and the wars." He let Liam get a hit on him and they stopped for a moment before getting back into stance. "You're going to marry the princess of Eorzia." Liam dropped stance immediately. "I'm WHAT?! I am not marrying some weak little princess for your idea of peace and attempt to save yourself, you coward!" He yelled at his father. It was outrageous. Before he even had a choice to realize it, his father swiped the sword cutting under Liam's eye with the hilt of the sword. Though it wouldn't leave a scar it hurt like hell and left a nice little gash. "I am no coward, and you will take no such tone with me. You'll understand when you are older. She will be here tomorrow and you will be there." With that, he left Liam. --- The sound of the carriage coming to a stop drew his attention back to the present, his eyes narrowing slightly as he watched the guards that were with her carriage open the door. The blonde princess stepped out and smoothed her dress. He hated to admit that she looked quite beautiful from where he was standing. Watching her for a moment as she seemed to be debating on running or not. Part of him hoped that she would, sure she would probably be brought back before she got far, but there was still some hope. As she started towards the doors he sighed making his way down to the entry. His room wasn't very far and by the time he had got there she had only been there for a few moments. He could tell from the fact his mother was still in her curtsy. His mother no doubt was the light in their castle. Liam couldn't help but look his new wife over as his mother prattled on with a mixture of disinterest and curiosity. "My aren't you just a beauty. I had heard rumors that Regis had a pretty daughter. It must have been such a long journey. After we are all done, I'll have Liam show you where you can rest for a while dear." "You're late." His father said annoyingly as Liam came to stand beside him. Liam frowned a little and mumbled that it was only for a moment. Which got him an angrier look before Sebastian looked back at the princess. "Arabell, Arabell!" The queen frowned and stopped talking looking at him. "I have things to do princess, so you will excuse me. Welcome to our home." He said matter factly before pushing Liam forward a bit and leaving the three of them. Liam's mother grabbed his arm pulling him forward more happily to the princess. "Of course, Liam is very happy to meet you my dear. Isn't that right? If you'll excuse me though, I simply must talk to my husband." The queen said before leaving the two of them alone and angrily going after her husband. Liam frowned slightly for a moment before giving a small bow to her. "Welcome princess. I'm afraid I didn't catch your name when I found out about this yesterday."</s> <\|message\|>Elise Hydaelyn This is where I will die, I can feel it. I sense it. Elise couldn't help but think that with each step she took approaching the castle that housed the other royals they had been at war with for quite some time. Arthur her elder brother had expressed his opinions on this matter of marriage, but her father hadn't listened to him and thus her fate had been sealed by coming here. In all honesty she was certain her brother didn't really fight hard for it, the marriage would mean he wouldn't have to deal with any sort of war whilst running the Kingdom he was due to inherit from father and they all knew it was an easy way out just at her expense. Though there wasn't much she could do about it now, not until at least nightfall where she could consider hatching a plan of escape though she would have to be very careful about it and not give them any indication that she was looking to do as such. Knowing that she would have to play it smart, take in her surroundings and start to understand the layout she bowed her head politely with a bright smile upon her face as she met with the King and Queen. Inside she was scared, feeling worried for the fact she didn't know anything about these people and what they could do to her but so far it didn't appear like any sort of trap though she wouldn't let her guard down. "Oh my, thank you for such a compliment. Though you should see my elder sister Madeline, she turns quite a few heads herself." It was true, her elder sister was stunning, but already married. Another alliance her father had set up in hopes to bring more soldiers to their side of the war and though it brought them soldiers and some more income it just wasn't enough to gain the upper hand. "That would be nice, it was quite the journey to get here though we didn't encounter any issues on the ride, but I thank you for welcoming me into your home." Elise stated politely keeping the smile on her face as if she was happy with this deal, glancing over to Liam who had just arrived slipping in behind his father. Though before she could make any sort of opinion the King spoke once more excusing himself as he had things to do and it was then she started to feel just a little bit more awkward which was something she had been trying to avoid. "Oh, right of course." Elise watched as the Queen began to leave after her husband and she couldn't help but hold her tongue at that comment Liam was very happy to meet her. For some reason she didn't quite think that was the entire truth, personally she wasn't all too happy at meeting him but then who knew? Maybe he was thrilled to end the war, marry some foreigner Princess and just go about life. The problem was that she didn't know how he felt on the matter, only how she did, and it was quite negative to the whole idea. Holding back a sigh she looked back at Liam catching the frown before the bow and she followed suit bowing in return her smile faltering ever so slightly. It's going to be tiresome keeping up an act isn't it. Or maybe that's the long journey talking. Thinking bitterly to herself as she found her fingers fiddling with the hem of her sleeve trying to give herself something to focus and not make a fool of herself in front of him. "Ah, thank you. It's a pleasure to finally meet you." Lies, absolute lies that left her mouth so smoothly, but then she was certain that anyone would feel like this in the same situation. "Oh, It's Elise. Elise Hydaelyn. It was Liam, right? I think that was what your mother said before leaving after the King." Glancing back at the carriage she had arrived in she could see the few soldiers and men that had escorted her were packing it away, leading it to where she could only assume they kept the horses and carriages and such. Taking in a quick look at the grounds she found herself thinking on ways she could sneak out under nightfall, but quickly stopped herself to not make it so obvious. "Sorry, it's quite different your home compared to mine. It's interesting to see. I have never ventured out of my own kingdom before so to come quite this far is new to me." Using that as an excuse to cover up any hint of her looking for ways to escape. "I don't suppose you would show me around sometime?" Who better than him to show her around, he would know where everything was and she could try to remember it for later on when she would risk it all in hopes to make an escape.</s>	<\|message\|>Liam Snyder Liam couldn't help but raise his brow when she said it was nice to finally meet him. Was it? He had been foolishly under the impression that she was under the same circumstances as he was. That this was a deal struck against both of their wills. Perhaps he was wrong though. Perhaps she had wanted to actually meet him, he wouldn't be lying if he said the thought of meeting his enemies hadn't crossed his mind. Though it wasn't, quite in this way. Then again maybe this was a power grab for her too. She wasn't going to get her own kingdom after all. "Is it?" He asked, the question had a slight playfully cocky undertone. It was quickly gone though. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you as well." "Yes, Liam Snyder." It was nice to finally get a name behind the face. Smiling slightly he nodded. "My father isn't much of a talkative person, I'm sure he is getting an earful." When he looked back at her, she was looking towards the horses and carriage that was being put away. He used the sober moment of quiet to take her in without his fathers angry grumbles in his ear. She definitely was pretty, though perhaps a bit timid. He wasn't sure how long she would survive in this family this way. Hopefully she had some back bone hidden in that pretty dress somewhere. His eyes moved towards where she was still staring as she looked back at him and spoke. For a moment he thought maybe she was worried about whatever belongings she had brought with her. Though it seemed it was more the fact that their kingdoms were so different. Liam had never actually been in her kingdom before, the few battles he had been in were the attacks on his own. It wasn't something he had thought about much until now. "I'm sure that I can find some time later if you wish. Just the castle grounds though. The city is a whole headache you wouldn't want so soon." He said, tone slightly softer than it had been. The city had been fairly calm as she came in, it was a mixture of the news of a peace marriage and force. Liam offered Elise his arm. "Come Elise, I'll show you where you'll be staying. I'm sure the servants have your belongings there already." Once she took his arm, he led the way that he had come and up the long stairway until stopping at the first door of a short hallway. "If you for some reason need me, I'm at the last door to the left. Mother insisted on us staying close." He said, with a soft huff as he opened the door for her. The room itself was almost a complete contrast of the castle itself. The walls were a soft orange cream color, the only thing which matched the castle were the dark brown wooden floors that ran through the rest of the castle. A small step down at the door made it possible for the ceiling to be just a touch higher than the hallways. Against the middle of the wall sat a large red canopy bed, though even with its size, it did not even take up half of the large room. A small red matching couch across from the bed with a small bookcase next to it. There were two doors, one at either end of the room. One led to a small washroom of her own. The second, which stood open at the moment, with one of the two servant girls hanging up Elise's dresses. Was a large closet. The two girls stopped what they were doing as she entered the room, faces eager and nosey to see the soon to be queen. Though their smiles flattered slightly as Liam cleared his throat. "Privacy." Both girls bowed to Elise before heading out of the room.</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang They both got comfortable in their respective seats. Freyr laid her head back against the top of the sofa and stared at the ceiling. Closing her eyes, she activated her quick access module. "Taking us in." She heard Karos calling in the distance. Pins and needles spread through her arms and legs. Freyr involuntarily arched her back and gasped out loud, unused to the procedure after so long away. After a few moments, all physical signals faded away. When she finally opened her eyes she was inside the Cradle. They stood in a transit station Freyr didn't recognise - it must have been built recently for this new development. It appeared as a spacious, square, high ceilinged lobby with a large metal receptionist's desk and some comfy seats for furniture. Two walls featured works of art, the other two sides were composed entirely of windows and doors to the outside. She heard the doors behind her swoosh open and sharp footsteps approaching. She turned to find a young CraSec officer in full battle dress, save the helmet, striding toward them. He cradled an assault rifle in his arms. "Doctors Childermass and Lang? I'm Lieutenant Rowe. Come with me please." They followed him out of the see-through sliding doors he'd just emerged from, out into the open. As was always the case with the Cradle, it was dark outside. The only natural light came from the faintly glowing network of purple arteries embedded in the sky above and the Border off to their right, which Freyr noted was worryingly close by. She'd spent many hours staring at those arteries, looking for clues as to their purpose. The land (as far as it could be called that) immediately surrounding the transit station was so far untouched, leaving an ocean of blackness between them and a glittering oasis of light some way off in the distance. That, Freyr assumed, was the new corporate development Karos had been talking about. Just outside the exit, three more CraSec soldiers waited by an enclosed buggy. They snapped smartly to attention as they approached. "Four guards? Is this strictly necessary?" Freyr asked. "It's for own your protection, Doctor." Rowe replied, motioning for her and Karos to get into the backseats before he and his second hopped in the front. The two other grunts hitched onto the outside of the buggy on either side of Freyr and Karos using the running boards. As soon as the buggy purred into life, bright floodlights blinked on all around the transit station. Rows of similar buggies sat together nearby, along with numerous crates and terraforming equipment. The whole place seemed deserted apart from them. Freyr could see the station was in fact situated on a roundabout, with one wide metal road stretching out directly in front of them. It wound through the undulating landscape, all the way to the corporate development a few miles away. They set off down that road at high speed, before they'd even had a chance to fasten their seatbelts. "As I mentioned, Freyr, conditions have changed substantially inside the Cradle since you've been gone." Karos began once they were strapped in. "Our department's budget has been expanded, as has that of our friends at CraSec here." "Our ranks have doubled in the last three months." Rowe offered helpfully, his head constantly swiveling to watch the darkness either side of the road. Karos nodded. "So have our objectives. The emphasis has changed from reverse engineering Cradle tech to strengthening our terraforming infrastructure and developing systems to combat any further...threat...from beyond the Border. A lot of the team are finding it a tough transition, which is why I desperately need your experienced hand on this." Freyr stared at him. "It sounds like we're preparing for war Karos. A war we can't possibly win." Karos looked grave. "Perhaps you're right." He looked away, across the darkness toward the Border. "I'm hoping it'll make sense once you see the video."</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Fortunately for Vreta, his entry location was not currently occupied. He was prepared to try and lie his way through any encounter if needed, but until he knew what precisely was going on in this place, he would prefer to remain hidden. He cracked open the door and peered out into the hall, cautiously. A few sniffs of the air and he caught a scent: a Human. His olfactory implants might not have been functional, but the natural sense of smell for a Rothian was still sharp. The scent was coming from the right, so Vreta moved left down the hall until he could find a door to slip outside. Vreta had not been to this particular district before, but at least on first impressions, there was nothing remarkably different from any other section of the Cradle. Though, Vreta did admit to finding the Cradle, as a whole, to be an unsettling place. The violet lights in the otherwise dark skies bore little resemblance to any natural environment, and the complete blackness beyond any of the creations of the Humans was even more alien. It was an "unnatural" place by any definition. Although, it was not the idea of a virtual environment itself that unsettled Vreta. His feelings stemmed from the fact that the Humans did not completely understand this technology they now commanded. It was not their creation, and based on its sophistication, the species that had created the Cradle was peer even to the Rothians, at least. They were "terraforming" a world they did not understand to their own ends, even though they did not truly know why it was originally created. Vreta absolutely supported the idea of studying and learning from the Cradle, but he would never have entertained the idea of using it so recklessly before it was fully understood. In any case, Vreta did have more present and immediate concerns right in front of him. Looking around outside the building, it seemed this district was something like an industrial park: plenty of similar-looking buildings and warehouses arranged in an organized grid pattern. Based on what he knew of the corporation that owned it, he expected it might have been a testing ground for new products and technologies, though he could not be sure. He quickly dipped into one of the nearby alleys to try and stick to the shadows, out of sight. He intended to move cautiously and see if he could spot any people and watch what they were doing.</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang The rest of the journey to the compound was uneventful. Freyr could feel palpable tension in the soldiers; several times it appeared Lieutenant Rowe spotted something, as he quickly looked into the sight of his assault weapon. Each time, after a few moments he slowly lowered it and exchanged looks with the driver. Within ten minutes of driving at very fast speeds, they approached the compound gates. Two more CraSec soldiers there motioned for them to stop, scanned the vehicle and then waved them through. This new corporate development was a grid of ugly, cavernous testing sheds at one end, and a small assortment of basic office buildings at the other. Freyr had seen various corporate enclaves like this appearing since the rules on private sector Cradle investment were relaxed a decade ago. It had made their work at the government R&D department more difficult, as these places were often situated where the Cradle's energy was most accessible. A phenomena that her team were trying to recreate, which often meant negotiating access to restricted areas. They drove to the front of the most aesthetically pleasing of the office buildings and parked. An assortment of CraSec and civilian buildings were already there, as well as a full squadron of security personnel. They stood at attention while being debriefed by a senior officer Freyr didn't recognise. She had never seen so many soldiers in one place during her time in the Cradle. Before she'd been put on leave, it was rare to see more than two of them at once outside of a barracks. As they got out of their buggy, the squadron saluted and began dispersing towards the warehouse grid. The senior officer looked their way. "Let me do the talking." Karos whispered urgently to Freyr as the woman walked over. "Welcome back, Doctor. Who is this?" she asked. "Good morning, Major! This is Dr Lang, my second. I'm hoping her unique perspective will help with the investigation." Karos replied cheerfully. "Freyr, this is Major Osman, she's overseeing this operation." Freyr shook Major Osman's hand. "I'm glad to hear it. At this point we need all the help we can get." Osman smiled grimly. "It happened on the top floor of this building - follow me." Osman took them briskly into the lobby of the building and up in the lift to the fifth floor. When the lift doors opened, a hive of activity greeted them. The atrium had been repurposed as a command centre, with civilian investigators hunched consoles and other equipment arrayed on trestle tables. Through a large arch in front of them, was a large open space full of office equipment. Near the middle, Freyr could see some of the tables had been overturned and a large portion of the window had been smashed in clear signs of a struggle. "Would you get Dr Lang set up with the video footage please?" Osman tapped one of the operators on the shoulder. He quickly punched up the start of a recording and vacated his chair for Freyr to sit down. Osman and Karos crowded round her to see the screen as well. Taking a deep breath, Freyr hit 'Play'.</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang The camera covering the incident was located in the same atrium they were in. Freyr looked up and over her shoulder to locate it behind her. The initial view was quite far from the action, but she could zoom and enhance it with little trouble. It was also a bit gloomy, as only the emergency lights were on. The timestamp at the start of the video was the dead of night in Babylon terms, so Freyr guessed everyone had long gone home. After a few seconds, four dark shapes appeared from the stairway in the corner of the frame. Freyr guessed these were the Skinners. They didn't look out of place, as they wore the standard issue Cradle newbie jumpsuit, however from the footage they were clearly on edge. The one in front brandished a pistol to ensure the office area was clear before motioning his colleagues forward. Two of the other activists were carrying bulky briefcases, which they laid down on two of the free tables. Once they'd been opened, Freyr paused the video and zoomed in. One of them was a laptop and one of them was clearly some kind of bomb. "How the fuck did they get a bomb into the Cradle?" Freyr asked. Major Osman shrugged. "We're looking into it now - they may have had help. Keep going, it gets better." Freyr hit play again. One of the activists armed the bomb, another connected their laptop to one of the consoles and then began typing manically. The other two checked out of the windows and generally looked nervous. "What was that?" Freyr asked, pointing to a section of the screen covered by the big side windows. "Just wait." Karos murmured. One of the guys standing guard seemed to notice it as well, as he stuck his face to the glass and peered in that direction. He turned around, shouted, and the other person rushed over as well. Freyr turned the sound on. "I didn't see what it was… i think it's below us!" "Ok. We need to wrap this up now!" How long until it's armed and the data is ours?" "Two minutes." "I need five." "We don't have five fucking minutes, we need to get out of here right now." "Wait...did you hear that?" "Yeah - get the scrambler armed and then we're leaving. I'm gonna check downst-" A loud crash made Freyr jump in her seat. In the blink of an eye, the activist standing by the window had just disappeared out of it. The man who'd just turned away to go downstairs whirled around, as did the two others on the opposite side of the space. The leader raised his pistol, but clearly hesitated when he saw what came through the window. Freyr leaned in til her face was almost touching the glass, not quite able to grasp what she was seeing. It had six insectoid legs, shiny black, and a compact, armoured carapace. But quite unlike anything Freyr had seen before, the carapace and abdomen behind that were punctured by at least a dozen violet tendrils. They worked as appendages to heave the creature through the gap and also held the immobile man it'd captured like a limp doll. The thing had a short neck and a face… Freyr's breath caught the moment she saw it. It was a human male's face, pale and contrasting with the sheer black of the body and legs. The eyes were bulging and completely black, but she recognised the face nonetheless. Her mouth dropped open and a silent scream shook her body as her eyes filled with tears. The creature had David's face. The rest of the abduction was very brief. Screams rang out on the recording as the leader fired his handgun at the creature. But when another of the things crashed through a window behind him, they were quickly overrun. The creatures held all four of them aloft like broken playthings and scooped up the unarmed briefcase bomb before exiting via the same windows they entered. But the only thing Freyr saw was her husband's visage through streams of tears as she howled in anguish at the screen.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta's investigation was a slow process. The marks on the office building were on multiple sides, so it was difficult to say at a glance exactly where those who made them had come from or gone too. He had to move slowly and carefully enough not to be spotted by the guards, while also keeping an eye on his surroundings for anything notably out of place. Fortunately, whatever damaged the office building did not seem to have the word "subtlety in their vocabulary. As he was circling the perimeter of the building, he noticed a high fence with plenty of marks, scratches, and a bit of damage of its own. Something had scaled it, and likely quickly. Now that he knew where to look, he could see traces of the intruders' path towards the building, though since he could not follow in that direction, he instead looked to track where they had come from. Following the path into the neighboring lot, Vreta soon realized there was a lot to track. He could not be sure of the exact size of the group that had scaled the office, but they had been moving in a rather loose group. Quite spread-out. It would take a while to investigate the area around the warehouse, and that was if he did not need to go inside. If he did, he would probably have to just be content with an incomplete search. Still, the soldiers guarding the office had not extended their perimeter to the neighboring lots, so it was possible he could find something before they decided to sweep the area.</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang "Freyr, i'm so sorry! I never wanted any of this, but now do you see how much we need you?" Karos soothed over Freyr's howling. He knelt down next to her on the floor as she sobbed into her hands and placed a reassuring arm around her. "What is happening, why is she crying like this?" Osman demanded. "As I suspected, those creatures have the face of Dr Lang's husband, who was abducted months ago." Karos replied, looking up at her. Osman grabbed him by the arm, pulled him back to his feet and moved him away from Freyr. "Are you out of your fucking mind? What kind of sicko brings a grieving woman to identify their husband as the face of a giant insect?" Osman hissed. "That grieving woman is also one of the most brilliant xenobiologists on the planet!" Karos hissed back, pointing to Freyr. "She may be the only person on Outremer who can figure out what's going on. I had to try!" "That's exactly what it is." Freyr said. Both of them turned to look at her. "What is?" Karos finally asked. "An insect. An ant, to be precise." Freyr continued. "Human settlers throughout the ages have inadvertently brought them all the way from Earth, hidden in food or raw materials. And when we first entered the Cradle via the underground vault, we brought them into the Cradle." Freyr got up, an idea tugging at a thread in her mind. She wiped tears from her eyes and rewound the recording to the first few frames where the creature was visible - she hid the face behind the second human man. "In some of the first records about life in the Cradle, they noted the Cradle responding differently to smaller lifeforms like ants. As they strayed into the uncontrolled zone, it would hijack them, sort of like other well known parasites. Control the body and add extraneous features." Freyr was searching through a database of scientific reports at this point, seeking to back up her hypothesis. There was something comforting about delving into information from the distant past to distract from the present. "Here we are." She said, pulling up pictures from three hundred and forty years previously, in the first years of the Cradle. It showed a common type of ant standing in a petri dish, with tiny purple stems sprouting from its body. "It's pretty similar to our friends on the video." Karos remarked. "Exactly." Freyr confirmed, turning to them. "So, what are you saying, Dr Lang?" Osman asked. "Well, based on the evidence available, i'd say most of the genetic makeup for these creatures didn't come from inside the Cradle. It may not have the means or the imagination to design it from scratch, so it's hi-jacking our fauna, making it bigger, adding those appendages and that...face." She exhaled deeply again. "This is progress!" Karos beamed. A beam which folded into a guilty grimace in the face of Freyr's obvious distress. "Listen, Freyr, I am so sorry again to bring you here. But this is exactly the kind of info we can use! I couldn't tell you about it beforehand, as it would've coloured your judgement. I needed to see if you recognised that face without any-" The comm set on the table chirruped, and a voice called from it. "Major, there's some kind of disturbance in one of these testing sheds, what would you like us to do?" Osman quickly picked up the handset and raised it to her mouth. "Establish a perimeter, we're-" Suddenly, every light, screen and piece of equipment went dead. They were plunged into darkness, until Osman's suit torch clicked on. "Lieutenant, come in!" the Major quickly moved out of the atrium into the main office area to look out of the windows. When she came back, she had drawn her sidearm. "Everything is dark. Follow me."</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta's investigation was a slow process. The marks on the office building were on multiple sides, so it was difficult to say at a glance exactly where those who made them had come from or gone too. He had to move slowly and carefully enough not to be spotted by the guards, while also keeping an eye on his surroundings for anything notably out of place. Fortunately, whatever damaged the office building did not seem to have the word "subtlety in their vocabulary. As he was circling the perimeter of the building, he noticed a high fence with plenty of marks, scratches, and a bit of damage of its own. Something had scaled it, and likely quickly. Now that he knew where to look, he could see traces of the intruders' path towards the building, though since he could not follow in that direction, he instead looked to track where they had come from. Following the path into the neighboring lot, Vreta soon realized there was a lot to track. He could not be sure of the exact size of the group that had scaled the office, but they had been moving in a rather loose group. Quite spread-out. It would take a while to investigate the area around the warehouse, and that was if he did not need to go inside. If he did, he would probably have to just be content with an incomplete search. Still, the soldiers guarding the office had not extended their perimeter to the neighboring lots, so it was possible he could find something before they decided to sweep the area.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang "Freyr, i'm so sorry! I never wanted any of this, but now do you see how much we need you?" Karos soothed over Freyr's howling. He knelt down next to her on the floor as she sobbed into her hands and placed a reassuring arm around her. "What is happening, why is she crying like this?" Osman demanded. "As I suspected, those creatures have the face of Dr Lang's husband, who was abducted months ago." Karos replied, looking up at her. Osman grabbed him by the arm, pulled him back to his feet and moved him away from Freyr. "Are you out of your fucking mind? What kind of sicko brings a grieving woman to identify their husband as the face of a giant insect?" Osman hissed. "That grieving woman is also one of the most brilliant xenobiologists on the planet!" Karos hissed back, pointing to Freyr. "She may be the only person on Outremer who can figure out what's going on. I had to try!" "That's exactly what it is." Freyr said. Both of them turned to look at her. "What is?" Karos finally asked. "An insect. An ant, to be precise." Freyr continued. "Human settlers throughout the ages have inadvertently brought them all the way from Earth, hidden in food or raw materials. And when we first entered the Cradle via the underground vault, we brought them into the Cradle." Freyr got up, an idea tugging at a thread in her mind. She wiped tears from her eyes and rewound the recording to the first few frames where the creature was visible - she hid the face behind the second human man. "In some of the first records about life in the Cradle, they noted the Cradle responding differently to smaller lifeforms like ants. As they strayed into the uncontrolled zone, it would hijack them, sort of like other well known parasites. Control the body and add extraneous features." Freyr was searching through a database of scientific reports at this point, seeking to back up her hypothesis. There was something comforting about delving into information from the distant past to distract from the present. "Here we are." She said, pulling up pictures from three hundred and forty years previously, in the first years of the Cradle. It showed a common type of ant standing in a petri dish, with tiny purple stems sprouting from its body. "It's pretty similar to our friends on the video." Karos remarked. "Exactly." Freyr confirmed, turning to them. "So, what are you saying, Dr Lang?" Osman asked. "Well, based on the evidence available, i'd say most of the genetic makeup for these creatures didn't come from inside the Cradle. It may not have the means or the imagination to design it from scratch, so it's hi-jacking our fauna, making it bigger, adding those appendages and that...face." She exhaled deeply again. "This is progress!" Karos beamed. A beam which folded into a guilty grimace in the face of Freyr's obvious distress. "Listen, Freyr, I am so sorry again to bring you here. But this is exactly the kind of info we can use! I couldn't tell you about it beforehand, as it would've coloured your judgement. I needed to see if you recognised that face without any-" The comm set on the table chirruped, and a voice called from it. "Major, there's some kind of disturbance in one of these testing sheds, what would you like us to do?" Osman quickly picked up the handset and raised it to her mouth. "Establish a perimeter, we're-" Suddenly, every light, screen and piece of equipment went dead. They were plunged into darkness, until Osman's suit torch clicked on. "Lieutenant, come in!" the Major quickly moved out of the atrium into the main office area to look out of the windows. When she came back, she had drawn her sidearm. "Everything is dark. Follow me."</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta's explorations had taken him all around the warehouse. There were traces of disturbances everywhere, but for a while, he did not find anything outright interesting. He went all around the outside of the warehouse to see if there was any evidence of someone breaking in to the warehouse itself, but there were no signs of a forced entry. That is, until he went around the side closest to the office. What did catch Vreta's attention as he finally moved around closer to the office was a certain scent. It was present around the other marks the intruders had made as well, but this was…stronger. Fresh, even. The scent came from one of the doors to the warehouse near the fence, which was something Vreta supposed was worth investigating. Cautiously. As he stepped up to the door, Vreta immediately noticed that it had been opened rather forcefully at some point before. The door was warped and its handle broken. It was shut now, but only because a part of the bottom of the door was misshapen and pressing against the door frame. There was no handle to grab, so Vreta put his hand firmly on the door and gave it a strong shove. "By the Rings!" Vreta could not help but to exclaim. What was inside was far from anything he had expected, and was far from natural.</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang This industrial warehouse was being used to test cutting edge interplanetary communications systems. The main feature was a tall, complex-looking comms array pointing to the ceiling, with banks of consoles sat around it. A creature very similar to the ones that had kidnapped the Skinners was perched halfway up this array. It's thin, faintly glowing tendrils were stuck inside various control panels on this machine. It was obviously at full power, because a faint humming reverberated around the warehouse. When the creature heard Vreta shout, it craned its stubby neck until the pale human face was starting right at him. After a split second, it screamed in an in-human voice that started shrill and ended in a guttural roar. At the same time, all of its tendrils exploded from their anchorages inside the comms array, sending a huge shower of sparks out into the Warehouse. The lights inside flickered and died, leaving a almost-total darkness, punctuated only by the effervescent glow of these appendages, reflecting off it's glistening face. It jumped down and skittered across the intervening space, until its face hung in front of Vreta, just out of arm's reach. It's tendrils waved gently in the air between them. It's mouth moved, unsure at first, as though unpracticed. Just a wet ticking sound emerged at first, but gradually hoarse words followed. "Who....are…you?" It edged a little closer.</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta was a claw's tip away from striking the creature in the head with whatever it was he had grabbed in his hand when it shrieked, though it was quickly apparent that its scream was not directed at him. In fact, the beast rather quickly lost any semblance of interest in him once the Human woman made her presence known. The words the creature had spoke were just as vague as before. It spoke of knowing him, which was almost certainly not literal, but it was hardly the time for him to introspectively ponder their meaning. He needed to get out. The Human was providing an ample distraction for him, but unfortunately he did not know his way around this warehouse, and he was not about to stumble around blindly in the darkness looking for a way out. The only exit he could see was the one he came in, and both the woman and the creature were between him and it. Inwardly, Vreta felt that he was about to make perhaps the stupidest choice of his life, but nevertheless, he saw no other option. He needed to at least get closer to the exit. He kept the metal object in his hand, though also kept it hidden behind his back, as he moved forward in the direction of the creature. He remained close to the wall while trying to avoid appearing aggressive. "I've been talking with our…friend here too. It mentioned wanting to find its toys, so maybe we should take our leave here and go…look for them? To help our friend here."</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr gulped, looking into the black eyes of the beast. It had stalled just outside of the glow of the torch she had aimed at the floor, and appeared to be waiting for her to do something. Shifting the light ever so slightly upwards, she noticed exposed cartilage between the top of its legs and the thorax, which presented a potential weak spot. She also observed significant scar tissue around the edges of the human face looking straight at her. It was like the face had grown from the insectoid head not long ago, in a not too pleasant transition. She vaguely registered the scaled alien talking somewhere in the dark. But none of that concerned her right now; the only reason she was face to face with it was to ask one thing: "David?" she ventured. Her voice was wobbly and high pitched. "David, it's Freyr. Is...is that you?" She took a few steps toward the creature as it tilted its head to one side. "Who...is David?" A wet, crunchy voice replied to her. "He...he's my husband. Your face reminds me of him." After a couple of seconds, the creature laughed. Freyr could hear tools rattling on a shelf nearby. "They're mine." It replied. A glow of hope lighted in Freyr's head, mixed with incandescent anger. She rushed forward, until her torch clearly illuminated it's large ant-like frame. "You let them go!" She screamed. The creature growled, revealing sharp knife-like teeth. It's black eyes bore directly into hers. "I have a better idea." It squelched. Freyr felt the tendrils grasping the back of her legs a split-second before they pulled her off her feet. The ground rushed up to greet her as she fell over, her outstretched arms taking most of the impact. Suddenly the warehouse was lit up by energy rounds, with dozens impacting the creature before it reared up on hind legs and screamed. Slithering round onto her back, Freyr spotted Major Osman behind her. In the flashing glare she could see her shouting, but it was drowned out by the deafening 'drdrdrdrdr' of her weapon. The creature charged toward the Major, stepping over Freyr but then dragging her behind by her legs.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Everything started happening quickly, especially after the Human started shouting. The monster Vreta had been trying to escape grabbed the woman with its tendrils. It might have been a good distraction for him to slip out unseen, but it was just an instant later that a soldier barged in, with likely more outside. That was a complication that he had no easy answer to, and one that would force his hand more than even this nightmare of a creature before them. With the soldiers knowing he was there, just getting away would not be enough. "Damn it…" Vreta muttered under his breath. The only choices he saw in front of him seemed rather stupid in his eyes, but he did not have time to hesitate. Just as the Human woman was starting to get dragged away, Vreta leaped into action. He kept low to stay out of the line of fire and grabbed a hold of her leg with his free hand to try and keep her from being dragged away. Then, he smashed the metal object in his other hand, which seemed to be a hand-held cutting torch, against the tendril as hard as he could, crushing it between the torch and the hard floor. Hopefully, this thing actually felt pain enough that it could be "convinced" to let her go.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Even as the alien grabbed Freyr's leg, she could still feel them being dragged across the floor. Slower than before, but they were nonetheless being dragged inexorably toward Osman and the door. However, when the alien whacked one of the tendrils, it seemed to twitch instinctively, giving Freyr enough slack to shake her left leg free. With both of them now being dragged by just one tendril, the creature seemed unable to take them any further. Under heavy fire at the front, it also seemed to lack the presence of mind to reaffirm it's grip on Freyr. Instead, it released her other leg as well, freeing it up to charge at the Major. Osman backed up to the wall and fired till the last moment before turning her gun sideways to help deflect any sharp jabs. But instead, the creature turned at the last second and barrelled into her with the full weight of its abdomen, crushing her with it's whole body mass. Osman cried in pain before her head slumped against her chest. With the immediate threat neutralised, the creature's tendrils wrapped around the door Osman had just emerged from, presumably to prise it open. From her crumpled position on the floor, the torch lying just out of her grasp, all Freyr could do was shout. "Hey, leave her alone!" Her arms were in pain from the fall, but she managed to lever herself into a standing position.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori At the moment, it seemed like Vreta was the only one in a position to actually react. He regained his footing quickly after freeing the first Human woman, so he could still do something. The soldier took a hard hit. Vreta did not know if she still lived and was just incapacitated, but he could at least make the effort to save her. Vreta's own saving grace was the fact that the creature did not immediately shift its attention to him. He kept low and rushed to the soldier, putting one arm around her to help drag her back away from the beast while its attention was on the door. In his other hand, he grabbed her rifle, but focused mostly on putting some distance between the beast and the two of them, though that only lasted a few seconds. When the Human shouted at the creature, Vreta had to make a choice. Ideally, he would just want to let the thing run away and leave them alone, but if one soldier had found them, then there were probably even more outside. They would likely shoot on sight, and the creature would duck back indoors, even if it did get the door open. This was probably not going to be as easy as just letting it run away, so Vreta had to act. Vreta removed his arm from around the soldier, then threw the cutting torch he had been holding at the creature's feet. As it flew through the air, he quickly transitioned to taking aim with the rifle with practiced speed. The weapon itself was small and somewhat awkward in his hands, but he still held it as one with familiarity with firearms. As the cutter hit the ground, he opened fire on its fuel tank, turning it into a makeshift incendiary bomb and coating the creature's underside in a layer of burning liquid fuel.</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang The creature issued a window shattering shriek, its face turned toward the ceiling. It's tendrils all went taut, pulling the door clean off its hinges. Without turning, the creature threw the door over its head, straight at the lizard alien, who was bathed in light from the creature's flaming underside. "Look out!" Freyr shouted, picking up the torch and running forward. She wasn't sure what she could do to help; the workstations nearby were packed with tools but shining the light on them gave few clues as to what might be used as a weapon. In the end she left them all and ran instead toward Osman, who lay crumpled near the feet of this mysterious alien. --- With the door removed, the creature quickly crushed itself through the opening, it's tendrils trailing behind it like the string from a bunch of helium balloons. Inside this staff room, it found more humans entering through the opposite door, lights shining from the end of their weapons. It didn't like confined spaces, and desperately wanted to get out. Making itself as big as possible, it charged at them. --- Freyr heard a cacophony of gunfire and blood curdling screams erupt from inside the room the creature had just entered. One shot fizzed through the doorway and took a divot out of the stone flooring nearby. Freyr rushed the remaining distance to where Osman lay and knelt with her back to the doorway to protect the Major. "Osman, can you hear me?" She shouted over the gunfire, slapping the soldier lightly on the cheek a few times. She seemed to stir lightly, batting her eyelids and opening her mouth. "She's alive!" Freyr called, just as three points off in the gloom of the warehouse flashed with small explosions. She could see bright lights spilling through them, and recognised CraSec soldiers running into the cavernous space.</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang The creature issued a window shattering shriek, its face turned toward the ceiling. It's tendrils all went taut, pulling the door clean off its hinges. Without turning, the creature threw the door over its head, straight at the lizard alien, who was bathed in light from the creature's flaming underside. "Look out!" Freyr shouted, picking up the torch and running forward. She wasn't sure what she could do to help; the workstations nearby were packed with tools but shining the light on them gave few clues as to what might be used as a weapon. In the end she left them all and ran instead toward Osman, who lay crumpled near the feet of this mysterious alien. --- With the door removed, the creature quickly crushed itself through the opening, it's tendrils trailing behind it like the string from a bunch of helium balloons. Inside this staff room, it found more humans entering through the opposite door, lights shining from the end of their weapons. It didn't like confined spaces, and desperately wanted to get out. Making itself as big as possible, it charged at them. --- Freyr heard a cacophony of gunfire and blood curdling screams erupt from inside the room the creature had just entered. One shot fizzed through the doorway and took a divot out of the stone flooring nearby. Freyr rushed the remaining distance to where Osman lay and knelt with her back to the doorway to protect the Major. "Osman, can you hear me?" She shouted over the gunfire, slapping the soldier lightly on the cheek a few times. She seemed to stir lightly, batting her eyelids and opening her mouth. "She's alive!" Freyr called, just as three points off in the gloom of the warehouse flashed with small explosions. She could see bright lights spilling through them, and recognised CraSec soldiers running into the cavernous space.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta did his best to duck down as the creature tossed the door at him, though it did strike him on his back. It was more of a glancing blow, though it still knocked him flat on his face. He slammed his snout on the ground hard enough to knock out a few front teeth. He likely would have been shouting obscenities, were it not for the fact that the impact also knocked his breath away. Regardless, he was not hurt badly enough that he could not push himself back up to his feet, especially as he could remind himself that none of the injuries were actually "real." By the time Vreta had collected himself, the creature was already running away, and it sounded like the other soldiers were dealing with it…or at least attempting to. At any rate, for him and the other two Humans, he felt that their part in this fight was firmly over. Vreta staggered over to the pair of Humans, approaching the wounded soldier from the opposite side as the other woman. "Come on, we just need to get out of here. If we get her out of the Cradle, she'll be fine. Just help me lift her up. We'll take her to your other soldier friends outside, then we'll all get out of this nightmare."</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr nodded numbly. The gunfire, explosions and screams were ringing in her ears, blocking out most of what the alien was saying to her. She understood what he meant when he began picking Osman up, and grabbed one of her arms to help. The Major groaned and began murmuring something when they finally got her upright, but Freyr couldn't make out what she was saying. "It's okay, we're going to get you out of here!" Freyr reassured her. She glanced across Osman at the alien awkwardly holding her other arm, seeing him properly for the first time, dimly lit by the Major's flickering chest lamp. It appeared to be a large bipedal reptile, dark green in colour with yellow stripes down its neck and sides. She vaguely remembered seeing an alien like this before. "Thank you, for saving us!" She shouted after a few seconds. The gunfire had grown a little quieter now, as if it'd moved outside, but it was still very loud. The soldiers who'd blown their way into the warehouse were much closer now. They'd spread out in a long line, their torches sweeping the area before them. When they spotted the three of them, a dozen soldiers quickly surrounded them, while the rest pushed on past. Most of the soldiers who had stopped had their guns trained on the alien. "Identify yourselves!" One of them shouted. "I'm Doctor Freyr Lang, I was investigating the abductions! This alien, well, he saved Major Osman and myself." Freyr responded shakily, her free hand raised above her head. Even blinded by the bright lights attached to all their guns, she could tell they were unconvinced. "She needs urgent medical attention, or an extraction from the Cradle." Freyr felt a gun poke her back, and a strong hand slide under Osman's armpit, taking the strain from her. She let go of the Major and took one step away; several of the bright lights followed her. She put both of her hands up. The soldier in front of them pointed his gun directly at the alien. "What're you doing here?"</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta gladly let the other soldiers take charge of the injured woman. As long as they were somewhat competent, they would remove her from the Cradle as quickly as they could, which was exactly what Vreta wanted for himself as well. He was sure there was a great deal more he could learn about the Cradle from this creature, but it was far too much of a risk to stay without proper armaments. Wiping away some of the blood from his mouth, Vreta answered the soldier. "Right now, I'm trying to get out of the Cradle as fast as I can, which is exactly what you soldiers should be doing too. Before that creature crushed this woman's chest cavity, I saw her empty a dozen or more shots from her rifle into it, then I caught it on fire with some tools that were laying around, and all of that just seemed to make it angrier. Unless you want more people to end up like her, or worse…" He said, pointing to the Major. "…then you need to evacuate this area. Come back with heavier ordinance if you really want to kill it, but that rifle of hers wasn't very effective. Now, my name is Vreta'Sori, official representative of the Zuraxi'Synkuur corporation to all of its business partners on Outremer. I'll gladly answer any of your questions about what I saw once we're out of the Cradle. I'm a guest of the Synastar Hotel, and I will stay there to wait for you."</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang The lead soldier was very still for a moment, presumably as he weighed up this alien...Vreta'Sori's account. Freyr saw light reflect off a set of cuffs that one of the grunts behind them had pulled out, but the leader motioned for them to stop. He looked at Freyr. "Is this true, Doctor?" She nodded. "As far as i know. The bit about the creature certainly is." An abrupt sound of rending metal stood out from the gunfire in the distance. Freyr looked in the direction it came from but could see nothing in the pitch black. Several of the soldiers turned to scan the area as well. The lead soldier considered his options. Grabbing a large, high powered comms device with an aerial off the vest of the soldier next to him, he called into it. "Cradle Actual, come in, over." Silence. "No good Sarge, Control is still dark. Some kind of interference." The soldier he'd taken the device from reported. The sergeant groaned, changing tack. "Dagger One, this is Dagger Nine, we have wounded and a UAL, heading back to the rally point now." He gave the comms device back. "Ok, we'll escort you to the trucks and raise Control from there. Don't make me regret not cuffing you." He directed the last comment squarely at the alien. "Lets move, eyes on a swivel!" He shouted, turning around. As one, the soldiers began making their way back to the hole they'd made in the side of the warehouse. An automated, hovering stretcher bearing Major Osman passed by Freyr. Soon after that, a firm hand encouraged her to move forward with them. About one hundred meters from where they'd stood, a large rent in the metal wall of the warehouse had been blown open. They climbed through it all together, the soldiers in formation around the stretcher, Freyr and the alien. They turned left, and headed in what Freyr could only assume was the direction of the office buildings. She could still hear gunfire, but it seemed more distant now, and muffled somehow. She glanced at the alien. The poor thing seemed to have lost some teeth, and was bleeding from its snout. Now the initial shock had passed, Freyr's mind drifted back to the beginning of the encounter. She shuddered as she remembered the creature's composite construction. What did strike her as odd, now she thought about it, was what the alien and the creature were doing together, when she first poked her head around the door. "When i came in...were you talking to that thing too? I heard noises. What did it say?" Freyr asked. The soldier in front of her tried the massive walkie talkie again. "Dagger One, this is Dagger Nine. What is your status? Over." This time there were static, and low warbling noises. Then suddenly a faint voice. "krrrrrfall….gotkrrrrrrrr...run!" The comms device went dead again. A few of the soldiers looked at each other. "Pick up the pace!" The sergeant urged.</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr looked up at the alien, Vreta, she vaguely remembered his name was, and nodded numbly. "Move move move!" the sergeant shouted, shooting at something behind them as Freyr broke into a run, torch shaking across the ground in front of her. Several of the soldiers soon overtook her, their guns up and scanning the path between two more warehouses in front of them. Freyr could just about make out the racks of strong lights mounted on top of the CraSec vehicles a few hundred metres in front of them. They were parked outside the office buildings they'd started their investigations in. That all seemed like a very, very long time ago now. A few seconds later, a cacophony of gunfire, shouting and other unnatural sounds joined the sporadic shooting from the rear of their group. It was coming from up ahead. In the back of her mind, Freyr knew she'd heard that transition from muffled hum to translatable sounds before. People had just passed back through the Border. Sure enough, she could see numerous torchlights and muzzle flashes from around the corner of the next warehouse. The gunfire and screaming increased as they ran towards the action, until sure enough, it erupted out right in front of them. About two dozen CraSec soldiers spilled out into the crossroads in front of them from the left hand side and were immediately overrun by a swarm of creatures. They looked like muscle-bound, bald hunting dogs, except for the thin purple tendrils sprouting out all over their bodies. Dozens of them ran amok in the crowd of soldiers, jumping up, all teeth and black eyes, to pull them screaming to the floor. Freyr skidded to halt as the action exploded across the road in front of her. She could see the Border had advanced even closer to the crossroads here too. Sitting halfway through the opaque surface, she caught a glimpse of a huge, bulbous sack of flesh, covered in purple appendages. It appeared to be pulling itself out of the Border wall by way of these tentacles. More hellhounds ripped their way out of the sack with their teeth and charged into the group. Freyr froze, her hands to her mouth and tears welling in her eyes. It didn't last long, as one of the canine-like creatures leapt at her, only to be blown to pieces at close range. "Doctor Lang, follow me!" A man shouted in her face. Freyr realised it was Lieutenant Rowe, holding a bulky shotgun. He turned, shot another canine running at him from behind, dropped the shotgun and shot another with his pistol before being plowed into the floor by three more. Freyr ran through the gap he'd created, toward the halo of lights by the trucks, hands covering her ears. Screaming and shouting mingling with staccato gunfire and in-human snarls on all sides. "Back to the trucks! Back to the trucks!" She heard someone yell nearby, and held onto them as they pushed through the melee. She looked desperately for Major Osman and the alien, both who had saved her, but couldn't see them.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Unlike some of the others, Vreta did not lose focus on his destination in his sprint towards the trucks. He was quick on his feet and could see well, even in this strange fog. His hearing might not have been as sharp as the Humans' but in this cacophony of gunfire, screams, and howling, that was not terribly relevant. He just had to keep his objective in sight and avoid panicking. Were it not for the hovering, frictionless stretcher, Vreta likely would have been forced to abandon the wounded soldier, but as it stood, pushing her around did not meaningfully slow him down. Besides which, even incapacitated, she still did have a use or two to him. The arrival of the hounds had been a moment of genuine fear for Vreta. Until that point, salvation had been ahead of them, with death chasing behind. He just had to let the soldiers fight and get to their escape. Now, creatures were swarming everywhere, including the path ahead. Now, there was much less certainty for him and his own survival. He could not guarantee, or even somewhat ensure, his own safety. For a Rothian, there were few things more terrifying than the loss of their eternal lives. It was only due to his training that he did not panic. He still had a way out; he just had to make sure he reached it. For most of his dash towards their escape, Vreta steered clear of the soldiers and let them take the attention of the growing horde of monsters. As fast as he was, he was among the first to reach the trucks, but he was not alone. The hounds were quick, and some were moving to cut them off. One climbed over the roof of the very truck he wanted to enter, while another started to circle around from his right. Fortunately, that was where his first use for his injured charge came into play. From the holster on her hip, he grabbed her sidearm and quickly fired a burst of three rounds at the hound on top of the truck. It was a fast draw, and at least one shot found its mark on center mass, but the second of the hounds was already barreling towards him as he was transferring his aim to it. The beast leaped at him, going for his throat, so Vreta guarded himself with his arm. The hound bit down hard on his forearm, but Vreta kept his composure enough to press the barrel of his pistol against the creature's own neck and pull the trigger. Vreta managed to avoid getting knocked off his feet and dropped the dead hound to the ground. He grimaced at his bloody arm, but with his adrenaline pumping, he would not feel it. Yet. The greater concern would be his escape. As he moved towards the driver side door, he realized another problem. These trucks were primitive compared to Rothian vehicles, and he had seen them driven enough in his time here that he had every confidence he could drive them as well. However, he had not yet driven one, and the thought came to mind that he did not actually know how to start their vehicles. He had no doubt that he could figure it out, but it would be much quicker for a Human to do it instead. Letting out a growl of his own, Vreta moved up to one of the rear doors of the vehicle and turned around, shouting in his distinctive voice and holding his pistol ready to fend off anymore hounds that came his way. "Over here!"</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang The soldier Freyr had latched onto was big and burly, and used his mass to crash through waves of the snapping creatures. One of the canines cut through the thigh of his suit and drew a fountain of blood, until Freyr kicked it off and followed up by stamping on its head. An energy pulse fizzed past, searing the flesh all the way up her left arm. Freyr screamed in pain and stumbled on, falling over a pile of canine corpses. She couldn't find a purchase on the slippery bodies, until a hand grabbed her armpit and hauled her to her feet. "Time to go, ma'am!" Rowe shouted at her, covered in blood. "I thought you were dead!" Freyr shouted, as they suddenly burst out the other end of the throng. "Not yet ma'am!" Rowe yelled, sending two rounds through a dog wrestling with the soldier Freyr had been following just moments before. He grabbed the man up off the floor and pushed him toward the trucks. "Bishop, take Doctor Lang to the trucks and get them started right now!" Rowe then worked to free another soldier, firing shots into the skull of a dog with it's tendrils wrapped around them. "Copy that. With me!" Bishop boomed, pushing Freyr ahead of him as they started to run. They passed a ragged line of CraSec soldiers, who had managed to free themselves and were now holding back the tsunami of horrors careering toward them. Sprinting now, they passed a thin stream of soldiers variously supporting or dragging other people towards the trucks. Some had smashed helmets and their faces half bitten off. Others were just screaming into the air, their eyes wide. "Back to the trucks, let's move!" Bishop yelled, picking up one of the wounded to free up the soldier dragging them to fight on. Freyr's vision was so blurry from running and the Border fog that she didn't notice Vreta and Osman until Bishop shouted "Who the fuck is that!?" and pointed his pistol at the alien with one hand. He was understandably on edge, with everything going on. "Don't shoot! He's with me!" Freyr called as they finally reached the trucks, taking a gamble on the alien's gender. Bishop didn't seem entirely convinced, but a scream like fingernails running down slate quickly stirred him back into action. "Ok, move move move!" He shooed Vreta away from the back door before opening it up and securing the wounded soldier inside, before going to the stretcher for Osman. Freyr looked back toward the cacophony of gunfire between the warehouses. She could see about a dozen soldiers making their way back to the convoy. A desperate rearguard action, led by Lieutenant Rowe, was being brutally pushed back by hordes of hellhounds. Freyr ran over to support the closest of the soldiers, quickly marching them over to another of the trucks. Upon opening the passenger door she was staring down the barrel of a pistol held by Karos Childermass. His hands were shaking and his face was white. Freyr snatched the handgun out of his hand, turned away from the door and was instantly pinned against the side of the truck by one of the hellhounds. It jumped up, it's dripping jaws snapping at her face. Her gun hand was stuck just holding its teeth away from her throat. "Oh fuck, It's back!" Bishop shouted from the other side of the truck, pointing to the corner of the office building they were backed up against. The human-faced insectoid creature had just emerged from the darkness. Just behind it was the Border, now creeping forward at a walking pace. Bishop fired his assault rifle at the creature from the hip, shouting and swearing at the soldiers pouring in around him to get strapped into the vehicles.</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Inwardly, Vreta wished they could just get the trucks moving. One of the soldiers had gotten it started, but they were probably going to wait as long as they could get away with to save as many of their people as they could. Without a doubt, Vreta was not going to be able to dissuade them from that; there was no point in even trying. The best he could hope to do was to speed along the process. Vreta climbed up onto the open back of the truck. There were plenty of seats in the back, but he did not try to squeeze into any of them just yet. He remained standing in the back, alternating between firing off shots at any approaching hounds and helping to hoist up soldiers into the back with him. He did not much like putting more stress on his injured arm, but he just kept reminding himself that it was not his actual arm. If there was one thing Vreta could be relieved about with these hounds, it was that they would actually die when shot, which could not be said about the first creature they saw. He had not been terribly impressed with these soldiers so far, but now that they were being backed into their final "corner", into these vehicles they had to defend, their desperation was inspiring a decent defense. As they were loading up the trucks, soldiers in the back joined in laying down fire on the advancing hounds. The situation was far from "good", but it was actually seeming somewhat better for a time…until it very suddenly became much worse. The first of the creatures, the monstrous insect that had simply refused to die, had returned. "Damn it…we need to leave!" Vreta shouted, though he would not be surprised if he was not heard in the chaos. At the very least, there was something new he had to work with, this time around. All of the trucks had a mounted turret on top, and they looked stronger than the standard rifles. His truck was nearly full in any case, so Vreta quickly transitioned from helping up the others and moved behind the turret. He might not have been the most familiar with their vehicles, but he had spent more time learning about their weapons. The turret's controls were intuitive enough, so he traversed it left until he could bring the muzzle to bear on the insectoid. From there, he opened fire with no intent to stop until something was dead. The heavy energy projectiles were larger, brighter, and certainly sounded more hefty than those of the rifles. He supposed he would see soon if the extra energy was actually meaningful.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang The insectoid nightmare issued the same nails-on-a-chalkboard scream under the hail of concentrated energy, and charged the front truck that Vreta occupied. Lieutenant Rowe, now one of the final surviving soldiers to have not got into a vehicle, saw the creature's approach and began running toward it. "Get out of here NOW!" He yelled, grabbing a limpet charge from the back of Vreta's truck just as it began turning to leave the compound. On the run, he shot two canines in his way before dropping the empty pistol and attaching the charge to his chest. With hellhounds diverting their attention from the bright lights of the truck to chase him, Rowe met the charging insect creature about twenty metres in front of the trucks and detonated the limpet. He vanished as a deafening directional explosion sprayed blood over the bonnet of the first truck. The creature was bounced directly through a glass window on the adjacent office building's first floor. The force of the explosion knocked Freyr, and the canine trying to bite her face off, to the ground. She could feel the truck she'd previously been pinned against rolling off behind her. She managed to wrestle her way on top of the struggling hound and put a bullet in its snapping snout. Staggering to her feet, she turned around and saw the convoy quickly turning in the car park space, to face the compound exit. Soldiers were standing up in the open back of all the trucks, firing behind her. Their faces were yelling at her to get aboard, but her ears were still ringing from the explosion. She had no idea how to get aboard now they were all in motion, but fortunately, the passenger door of the third truck swung open and she could see Bishop leaning across the seats with his hand outstretched, his dark face slick with sweat inside his helmet. She ran to the side of the truck and grabbed his hand. He immediately hauled her into the cabin, where she managed to tuck herself in and slam the door shut. With the first truck having completed the U-turn, the four-vehicle convoy sped up considerably, motoring toward the compound exit with canines flooding around the skirts. Freyr realised she was hyper ventilating when she got sat down, and tried to calm herself. The sound of the energy cannon above them was ear-splittingly loud, but she could just about hear Bishop's bellowing voice as he peered through the rear view mirror. "The Border is coming! Move it!" He shouted, leaning on the truck horn.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori As they began to accelerate, Vreta turned his turret around and swiveled it to focus on hounds running at them from the side. The insectoid monster, if not dead, was at least prevented from reaching the trucks. The soldier's sacrifice, he felt, was a brave one, and perhaps necessary for their escape. Despite how quickly most of the rest of these soldiers had crumbled under the pressure from these monsters, he had done well. Vreta had wished it had been another of the soldiers to make the sacrifice; their leader would have been more useful to keep around than any of the others. The heavy turret Vreta was using could essentially blast apart one of the hounds in a single shot, but even with several of them firing, they could not deal with all of the beasts swarming them. Not before a few of the trucks at the rear of the convoy had hounds reach them and start climbing up the sides. With Vreta's truck being at the front of the convoy, though, there was little he could do to help. There would be far too much risk of damaging either the trucks, or the people in them, if he tried turning his turret on them. There were still plenty of armed soldiers in the trucks, though, so they would just have to deal with the beasts themselves. The hounds were not going to be reaching the front vehicle once they were up to speed, so as long as they could continue to outrun the border, it finally started to seem like they had a clear escape ahead of them. He had run out of targets to shoot from the angles available to him, so he was finally able to just lean back in his seat and catch his breath. They were not out of danger yet, but he was feeling calmer…which meant he was also starting to feel some of the sensations his mind had been repressing. His arm was slowly filling with a sharp, burning pain that had him wincing. The bleeding was not alarmingly severe, but it also had not yet stopped. For a moment, he intended to ask someone to bandage him, but looking around the back of the truck, he saw a few Humans that were…far worse off than he was, to put it mildly. For now, Vreta just kept quiet and held one arm under the other to keep pressure on the wound.</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr could hear the hell hounds scrabbling at the armour plate doors above the din of the energy cannon. But she barely saw them in her rear view mirror; her eyes were glued to the rippling Border wall. The lights were out on the road they'd powered onto, but the convoy's floodlights traced the purple arteries running up that black curtain of night. Gradually, she could see canines appearing in the rearview mirror too, as they failed to keep up with the speeding trucks. The Border caught up with them, sucking them in. "It's reclaiming this whole site." Freyr murmured, fascinated despite everything that was happening. She'd never seen the Cradle react in such a way, no one had. "Cradle Control, come in. We could really use reinforcements at our nearest transit station, over!" Bishop called into his comms unit. "Dagger 7, we're receiving-" "Bishop, look out!" Freyr shouted over the reply. The Border surged forward suddenly, rushing up and swallowing the fourth vehicle in their convoy. For a moment it looked like they may be able to outrun it, but the Border kept gathering speed and enveloped them. Once inside, the sound muffled considerably, and the atmosphere filled with thousands of white flakes. Freyr's lungs felt the pressure right away, as the Cradle began reducing the oxygen programmed into this previously colonised area. After a couple of seconds, the truck began alternating between regular engine noise and a shrill whining sound, as though systems were failing. The halo of bright lights around the sides of the truck flickered and died, leaving just the headlights and gun lights. "No no no no no!" Bishop yelled, hitting buttons on the dashboard. "Are we slowing down? What's happening?" A soldier called in through the hatch separating the cabin from the turret and troop bay. "Yeah! Something is messing with us. I think I can at least get the lights back on!" Bishop replied. Still peering through the rearview mirror, Freyr let out a surprised yelp when the lights came back on. A large, pale, long-legged beetle with the now synonymous purple tendril extensions was perched on top of the truck behind them, ripping the helpless soldiers aboard it apart with its pincers. Freyr could see several of the tendrils flailing around inside the cabin, grabbing at the driver. The truck veered off the road, into the uncharted ground alongside. "They're under attack, shoot that thing!" Freyr shouted, her face stuck up against the side window. "Fuck that, we have more incoming!" The soldier on the turret yelled, firing at four more of the beetles as they raced out of the swirling storm of flakes at blistering speed, two either side of the convoy. "How are they going that fast?!" Bishop exclaimed. "Tiger beetles are built for speed!" The biologist in Freyr forced her to answer.</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori It was just never going to end, was it? One crisis after another, a new threat every time one fell. At this point, Vreta was not sure he wanted to know anything more about the Cradle. His growing opinion now was that it was a nightmarish hellscape, and its processor should be glassed from orbit, but that sentiment was not going to make any progress towards his escape. In the fog beyond the border, it was easy to panic. Several around Vreta were doing just that, and he understood why. He nearly fell into that trap himself, but again, it was his training that saved him. He tightened up his expression, closed his eyes for a moment, and took in a breath. The air was thinner here, though it was not all that different from the mountain air back on Rothia. Just breathe in. Breathe out. Focus. Enemies approached, he still had a gun turret in front of him, and he was reasonably sure it still worked. That was what he could control. That was his task. The monsters were not the true enemy here; panic was. Panic was what he had to push from his mind. Opening his eyes, Vreta traversed the turret left. It was more sluggish now, as the powered controls were not working quite correctly, but he had the strength to make up for it. He just focused his eyes on the sights, focused on firing when they lined up with the beasts in pursuit. They were quick and the trucks were moving, but that did not matter. Vreta's steely-eyed visage carried an unusual calm as his only focus went to lining up the sights and firing his weapon.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang "I can see the transit station!" Bishop pointed, other hand guiding the steering wheel. Freyr turned to look and could see he was probably right. Though the Border was mostly opaque from the outside, they could still see out. Around a bend in the road, a mile or two away, was a mess of flood lights, marking their exit clearly on the landscape. "All Dagger teams - auxiliary power is in place, we're ready to receive you." A voice sounded on the comms set. "They should be out here getting u-" Bishop began complaining. "Incoming!" The soldier on the turret shouted. The driver's side door clicked open and two thick tendrils entered the cab. One wrapped around Bishop's neck and the other around one arm. They would've pulled him cleanly out of the truck, were it not for his seatbelt. Bishop's other arm frantically went up to his neck, so Freyr leant over and grabbed the unoccupied steering wheel before they crashed. "Bishop, listen to me. Keep your foot on the accelerator! Take this!" Freyr called over the din, her voice hoarse and croaky. She passed Bishop the pistol, which he used to start shooting the tendrils, his lips pursed and eyes wide. "Fucking die!" She heard someone behind them yelling, as the energy cannon overheated. Keeping her eyes on the road, Freyr gasped and yanked the steering wheel as another of the beetles rocketed in from their left side, taking fire from the first car, and barreled straight into the second truck. It lurched sideways off the road, a huge dent in the side. "Karos!" Freyr shouted as the vehicle caught something on one of the tires and began flipping over and over through the air. Scraps of metal from the crash flew into the windscreen as Freyr somehow managed to maneuver their speeding truck around the pirouetting wreck. They bounced over something substantial along the way, which Freyr presumed must have been the beetle. Still leaning over, Freyr used her free hand to activate the truck's comm unit. "Car in front, help us get this thing off! Please!" She pleaded.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori The chaos around Vreta was only growing worse the longer this chase went on, and the number of survivors was starting to dwindle. A loud crash and the sound of twisting metal accompanied the truck that lost control and was sent flying. However, one observing Vreta would find him seemingly unfazed by it all. His expression remained constant, and his eyes focused. There was just a moment where Vreta spared a thought to a part of the training he had received nearly a century ago. He had never been a soldier, but he had received much of the same training for his role in the Rahn'Masser. One aspect of his training had taken place at a facility high up in some of Rothia's tallest mountains. It was a landscape that was covered in snow year-round, and only even survivable for his cold-blooded body due to a heat-generating implant inside him. The place had seemed much more like a monastery than a boot camp, and the instruction he had received there made him feel more like a monk than a soldier. Yet, they were some of the most important lessons he could learn for his career, far more than any amount of marksmanship or martial arts. Words spoken to him there still echoed in his mind across the centuries. "In our galaxy, we have discovered half a dozen sapient species, with countless millions of stars left to explore. Some, through wisdom or fear, will maintain peace with us. And some, through greed or desperation, will wage war. They expand and multiply, their numbers unchecked, and their ambitions insatiable. We have been forced to war in the past, and it shall happen in the future. They are many, and we are few. If you are called onto the battlefield, you may face legions with no more than the few at your side. Your enemy may call your fight hopeless, but I tell you…hope is a lie. Hope is the idea that the universe may grant you a miracle to save you. But we are Rothian! We are not given miracles, we create them! Your survival will not be allowed by fate nor chance; it will be guaranteed by your own hand. Our enemies may be legion, but we are Rothian. We do not break, we do not rout, and we do not fail. I will teach you how to forge your mind into a weapon greater than any fusion rifle. No matter your enemy, no matter their number, no matter the chaos around you, I can give you one weapon that will not leave you:…" "...Focus." Vreta said under his breath. His lungs breathed deeply of the thin air, and did not struggle for it. One truck had crashed, but he put it out of his mind. It was not important to the task in front of him. His mind grabbed onto only what was important for him, like the pleas for help he could hear over the radio just behind him. He could see the insect latched on to the side of the truck following them, and the radio confirmed they could not deal with it themselves. To kill it was Vreta's task. Both trucks were moving quickly, sometimes weaving left or right unpredictably, and his turret had enough power to deal serious damage to the truck. Potentially, a missed shot could disable its engine and doom its passengers. He could not fire recklessly. Instead, he traversed the turret to be in-line with the beetle, then waited a moment. He focused on the sights and simply allowed the truck to drift to the side until he found the moment where the sights lined up properly, then fired a single shot straight down the top of the beetle's head.</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang The tendrils rapidly loosened from around Bishop's arm and neck, and slithered back out of the driver's side door as the nightmare beetle thudly wetly into the ground. He quickly closed the door, took the wheel back from Freyr and handed her the pistol. "Whoo! Good shooting boys!" He shouted raspily into his comms set. With her hands free, Freyr looked back out of her window. She could just about see the last two beetles racing toward them out of the foggy blackness. "Go go go!" She urged. The Border come to a stop, and was just a few hundred metres away. Just behind the Border veil, Freyr could see the floodlit transit station. "Come on!" Bishop yelled, arms taut around the wheel as he juiced every ounce of power from the accelerator. Their truck whined and grated, sparks began flickering behind some of the control panels. A quick glance in the mirror confirmed that both of the bugs were right behind them. Their outstretched tentacles were reaching for the back of the truck, as energy bolts raked across both of their glassy carapaces. Freyr and Bishop both yelped as they hit a bump, sending the whole vehicle up into the air and careering through the Border at a tilted angle. As soon as they crashed back through the Border and into colonised space, Freyr could see rows of CraSec vehicles parked around the transit station. Dozens of soldiers hiding behind the vehicles instantly opened fire upon seeing the beetles that'd followed them through. Issuing sharp clicks and squeals, the beetles skidded about and quickly disappeared back through the border. Bishop slammed on the brakes, and they slid to a stop right behind the truck with Vreta on the turret. Freyr exhaled deeply, her whole body shaking uncontrollably. "Identify yourselves." A voice demanded over loudspeaker, as a handful of soldiers drifted out from behind cover to surround the trucks. Most had their weapons trained on the clearly visible alien.</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang The tendrils rapidly loosened from around Bishop's arm and neck, and slithered back out of the driver's side door as the nightmare beetle thudly wetly into the ground. He quickly closed the door, took the wheel back from Freyr and handed her the pistol. "Whoo! Good shooting boys!" He shouted raspily into his comms set. With her hands free, Freyr looked back out of her window. She could just about see the last two beetles racing toward them out of the foggy blackness. "Go go go!" She urged. The Border come to a stop, and was just a few hundred metres away. Just behind the Border veil, Freyr could see the floodlit transit station. "Come on!" Bishop yelled, arms taut around the wheel as he juiced every ounce of power from the accelerator. Their truck whined and grated, sparks began flickering behind some of the control panels. A quick glance in the mirror confirmed that both of the bugs were right behind them. Their outstretched tentacles were reaching for the back of the truck, as energy bolts raked across both of their glassy carapaces. Freyr and Bishop both yelped as they hit a bump, sending the whole vehicle up into the air and careering through the Border at a tilted angle. As soon as they crashed back through the Border and into colonised space, Freyr could see rows of CraSec vehicles parked around the transit station. Dozens of soldiers hiding behind the vehicles instantly opened fire upon seeing the beetles that'd followed them through. Issuing sharp clicks and squeals, the beetles skidded about and quickly disappeared back through the border. Bishop slammed on the brakes, and they slid to a stop right behind the truck with Vreta on the turret. Freyr exhaled deeply, her whole body shaking uncontrollably. "Identify yourselves." A voice demanded over loudspeaker, as a handful of soldiers drifted out from behind cover to surround the trucks. Most had their weapons trained on the clearly visible alien.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Once again returning from beyond the border was certainly a relief, though it did not prevent Vreta from remaining on-alert. If he had learned anything over the past half-hour, it was that this place was never safe. His state of intense focus persisted for only a short time, until he was questioned by the soldiers. "Vreta'Sori." He answered quickly and directly, not that his name would have much meaning to them. Vreta climbed off of the turret and into the back of the truck. He gave a look around at the soldiers crowded around in their seats. Some had escaped mostly unscathed, but there were others that looked rather badly wounded. The soldiers in his truck had been in a position to witness the help he had been giving them, and many he had personally pulled into the safety of the vehicle. They could be useful to him, he felt. He just needed to approach them with the right attitude. "Can one of you take over talking to those soldiers? We need to get your wounded out of here quickly if they are to survive this." Vreta remarked before climbing down the side of the truck, then held his arms up to take the first of the wounded. "Help me unload the injured. We need to hurry."</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr gently patted Bishop's shoulder. He was just sitting back in his seat, eyes staring straight ahead. "Well done, Mr Bishop. Thank you." She murmured. "You're uh...you're welcome." He replied weakly. Leaving the pistol on the dashboard, Freyr opened her door and jumped out; her legs were so wobbly she nearly fell. She put her hands up and walked slowly forward. Several soldiers and a medic rushed to greet her. One shone a scanner beam in her eyes and another handed her an oxygen mask which she gladly took a few breaths from. "You're clear. Name?" One asked. "Dr Freyr Lang. We have wounded in the back." Freyr said, teeth gritting when the pain from her seared arm returned. "Can i have a burn pack please?" The medic pulled one from her bag and chucked it to Freyr before rushing around to the back of the truck. Freyr pulled the remains of her jumpsuit sleeve back to reveal charred, red pink flesh. She activated the burn pack and wrapped it quickly around her entire forearm, crying out from the pain. It quickly subsided though, as topical anesthetics in the wrap numbed everything down underneath. She staggered over to the truck in front. Vreta had just jumped to the ground and was waiting to receive the wounded. "Vreta, right? Can we talk?" Freyr asked, stopping alongside the tall alien. "You can both talk to me." A deep, gruff voice called from behind them. Freyr turned, and found a severe-looking grey haired man in a smart black uniform standing before them. His hands were clasped behind his back, and he cooly regarded them with augmented eyes that glowed with three light blue points. "Our medics will see to the wounded, thank you Vreta'Sori." He smiled, as three of them jogged round the sides of the truck and began pulling the wounded down around them. "Please, come." He urged, gesturing for them to follow him toward the transit station. Freyr glanced at Vreta. She'd wanted to talk to him about what had happened in that warehouse. The creature with David's face had been talking to the alien, and Freyr was sure it meant something. But something about this man in the black uniform made her think they didn't have a choice. Hesitantly, she fell in behind the man as he walked toward the rows of nervous CraSec troops, still scanning the Border as it loomed over them. "Was that Major Osman I saw, slumped over in that truck?" The man immediately asked, turning and looking at Vreta while still walking.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta did not care as much about helping the wounded as much as giving the appearance that he wanted to help, so he complied quickly with the man's request. The Human was not in combat gear, but he was clearly associated with the soldiers regardless. He gave the impression of being someone with some authority among the Humans, so Vreta decided it best not to snub his requests for now. They were heading towards a transit station, which was a direction of which he definitely approved. Looking down at the man, Vreta tilted his head. "Are you referring to that soldier woman?" He asked, pointing a thumb back towards the truck. "A large creature, one much tougher than the beetles your men saw off, injured her. Crushed its weight against her chest. The beast took well over a dozen rounds, was lit on fire, and still could not be stopped. One of your soldiers eventually sacrificed himself to hit it with an explosive charge, but…I do not know if it died." Pausing a moment, Vreta gestured to Freyr. "Myself and Freyr, we did manage to get her out and to the truck. Last I checked she was still alive, though that was before we left. If she is still alive, she needs to be brought back to her body in the real world. In fact, based on what I saw, I would recommend you evacuate everyone from this place. Failing that, at least reinforce your soldiers with the heaviest weapons you can possibly give them. If those monsters attack again, well…even that may not be enough." He warned.</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang "I see." The man nodded thoughtfully at Vreta's description of the attack. "Is this true?" His eyes drilled into Freyr. She nodded shakily. "Yeah, pretty much. I'm sorry...who did you say you were again?" The man smiled. "I wouldn't worry about that right now, Dr Lang. The main thing is that i'm here to help - both of you." He looked at Vreta again. "I also wouldn't worry about this place. It will be a fortress by dawn tomorrow. We have our best terraformers on it." The man gestured for both of them to walk through the glass doors into the transit station as they slid open. "Please, after you." The large, bright, sparsely furnished room Freyr had arrived in only an hour or two ago had been totally transformed. An entire command centre of holo-consoles and other equipment was being set up around the outside, leaving an open space in the middle for people to spawn in and out. Freyr could see a wide variety of people milling around. There were engineers and technicians in white jumpsuits, connecting up even more gear. There were at least half a dozen terraformers in whatever clothes they'd decided to program in. Freyr also spotted a few other people in the same black uniform as the man with the augmented eyes, who had now followed them through the double doors. These black-clad people all turned to stare directly at them, making Freyr feel incredibly vulnerable. "Please, take a seat." The man with the augmented eyes urged, walking past them to sit at an ornate wooden desk. There were two chairs facing him on the other side. After a split second, the man exclaimed. "Ah, of course, the chair!" He loudly snapped his fingers and a nearby terraformer turned around. The man gestured to Vreta, and after sizing him up for a moment, the terraformer hit a few options on her holo-interface. One of the chairs seemed to disassemble and reassemble in a flurry of half-digital moving parts. When everything settled, Freyr could see a large stool, presumably suitable for tailed reptilians. "Please." The man smiled, gesturing to the seats again. Freyr sat down, growing slightly uneasy. "Now - this creature you speak of. Is it the same creature as the ones who abducted those Skinners?" "Yeah." Freyr nodded, slightly thrown off by the fact that this man knew about the abductions. "It came back? Why?" "I uh, I don't know." Freyr turned to look at Vreta. "You said that it was doing something with a device when you found it. What kind of device?" The man looked at Vreta as Freyr spoke, his facial expression completely unfathomable.</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang "I see." The man nodded thoughtfully at Vreta's description of the attack. "Is this true?" His eyes drilled into Freyr. She nodded shakily. "Yeah, pretty much. I'm sorry...who did you say you were again?" The man smiled. "I wouldn't worry about that right now, Dr Lang. The main thing is that i'm here to help - both of you." He looked at Vreta again. "I also wouldn't worry about this place. It will be a fortress by dawn tomorrow. We have our best terraformers on it." The man gestured for both of them to walk through the glass doors into the transit station as they slid open. "Please, after you." The large, bright, sparsely furnished room Freyr had arrived in only an hour or two ago had been totally transformed. An entire command centre of holo-consoles and other equipment was being set up around the outside, leaving an open space in the middle for people to spawn in and out. Freyr could see a wide variety of people milling around. There were engineers and technicians in white jumpsuits, connecting up even more gear. There were at least half a dozen terraformers in whatever clothes they'd decided to program in. Freyr also spotted a few other people in the same black uniform as the man with the augmented eyes, who had now followed them through the double doors. These black-clad people all turned to stare directly at them, making Freyr feel incredibly vulnerable. "Please, take a seat." The man with the augmented eyes urged, walking past them to sit at an ornate wooden desk. There were two chairs facing him on the other side. After a split second, the man exclaimed. "Ah, of course, the chair!" He loudly snapped his fingers and a nearby terraformer turned around. The man gestured to Vreta, and after sizing him up for a moment, the terraformer hit a few options on her holo-interface. One of the chairs seemed to disassemble and reassemble in a flurry of half-digital moving parts. When everything settled, Freyr could see a large stool, presumably suitable for tailed reptilians. "Please." The man smiled, gesturing to the seats again. Freyr sat down, growing slightly uneasy. "Now - this creature you speak of. Is it the same creature as the ones who abducted those Skinners?" "Yeah." Freyr nodded, slightly thrown off by the fact that this man knew about the abductions. "It came back? Why?" "I uh, I don't know." Freyr turned to look at Vreta. "You said that it was doing something with a device when you found it. What kind of device?" The man looked at Vreta as Freyr spoke, his facial expression completely unfathomable.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori "You can fortify all you want, but don't underestimate these things. I don't know what these things are, exactly, but if they're from the Cradle, then you're fighting on their territory, not yours. You didn't create this place." Vreta warned. In any case, Vreta followed the man into the transit station. Although, he could not help but to be disappointed that they did not return from the Cradle right away. He had a multitude of reasons for wanting to be rid of this place. He did take a seat on the stool provided for him on the man's insistence, but Vreta's general discomfort started to become more and more visibly apparent the longer the man spoke. Vreta was making a few mental notes on the topic Freyr discussed with the man. While he had guessed this already, their conversation did confirm that the creatures were related to the disturbance at the office building. In his research since he arrived on Outremer, Vreta had heard of the Skinners. Their goals and methods earned them the label of terrorists, though with what Vreta had seen of the Cradle, he personally felt they might have the right of it. Regardless, he did not bring it up. When Vreta was finally questioned directly, he decided to give a show of cooperation with an honest answer. "I can't be completely sure. When I investigated the shed, I only got a look inside for a few seconds before that thing knocked out the power. Just by its appearance, it might have been some kind of communications equipment." Vreta revealed yet more of his discomfort when his grimace showed his bloodstained teeth. Glancing to the side, he put more pressure on his injured arm. "Look, I'm willing to talk about this with you, but I'd really rather not do this in the Cradle. That creature knocked out a few of my teeth, by arm burns like the ninth ring, and frankly, the blood loss is distracting. More importantly, I'm not completely convinced that border isn't going to come crashing down on us again at any moment. Did those creatures really retreat, or are they just gathering their forces? I promise my cooperation for every one of your questions if we return to the real world. Like I said, my name is Vreta'Sori, representative of the Zuraxi'Synkuur corporation. I'm staying on the twenty-first floor of the Synastar Hotel. You look like a man with the authority to run my identity, so I'm sure you can get confirmation this is all true. Someone as high-profile as me, you know I can't just escape unnoticed. I'll go back to my hotel room and wait for you there; you have my word."</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang The fact that the creature may have been interfacing with exo-Cradle comms equipment rang alarm bells in Freyr's head. What could it have been doing? However, she held her tongue at this moment. It was abundantly clear that the alien was in a lot of pain, and didn't want to stick around to talk here. She couldn't blame him; the events of the last hour would almost certainly haunt her forever. However, she could find some kernels of hope among this sea of despair - she was reasonably sure her family were still alive somewhere. She was also confident she'd gathered more useful data today than in the previous ten years of work. She just needed to go home and assimilate all the information for it to be any use. She knew where Vreta was staying - she resolved to talk with him privately about the specifics if she could. The man with augmented eyes nodded considerately at Vreta's story. "I understand completely, we'll get you back to the real world in just a moment - we know where both of you are. I just have one more question for you, Vreta'Sori. Why is it that you were in an evacuated crime scene today?" While this was happening, Freyr could hear a slight commotion behind them. She turned to see the wounded from their trucks being stretchered inside. At the same time, the room hummed slightly, and looking over her other shoulder she caught a squadron of heavily armoured CraSec soldiers being spawned in. They lined up to grab weapons from an armaments locker before heading to the doors. There was a lot going on, and the questioning was getting a bit above her paygrade, so Freyr was longing to just get out of here.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori The Human's thinly-veiled accusation was apparent, but this was a game to which Vreta was no stranger. He did not give any hint to his thoughts in his reaction, letting out only something of an amused hum. "Well, the simple answer is that I wasn't." Vreta replied. Vreta paused just a moment, letting out a grunt as he shifted his injured arm into a more comfortable position. "Like I said, I'm a representative of the Zuraxi'Synkuur corporation. I am not at liberty to discuss all of the details of our transactions, but suffice to say that we have extensive dealings with the corporation that holds this district. A part of our agreements stipulate that I am permitted to inspect their testing and production facilities to ensure they meet our agreed-upon standards. That was why I came here today. I got wind of a disturbance in one of our partners' holdings, so I wanted to ensure they were not at fault for whatever was happening. Negligence on their part could affect our contracts with them. This district was not locked down, either by its owner or the Outremer government, and I had full permission to be here. I respected all boundaries set by your men at the crime scene and did not trespass. The shed I investigated was outside the perimeter set by your soldiers. Whether or not they should have restricted access to that building is between you and your officers, but I broke no laws in entering. I can provide you copies of all of the necessary legal documents, once we are out of the Cradle."</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang The man nodded, stretching his face into a taut smile. His eyes remained fixed on the alien. After a pregnant pause, he replied "Great, well, I think I have everything I need for today. We'll take it from here. Thank you both - I'm terribly sorry this happened to you. Dr Lang, I know this must weigh particularly heavy on you." The man's stare began unlocking all the horrors of the day, and Freyr felt her own eyes welling up with tears. "A liaison will be with you both tomorrow. Freyr, I took the liberty of signing off some military-grade PTSD meds for you; they should be arriving at your apartment soon. Get a good night's rest, and we'll be in touch." He nodded, to signal that he'd finished talking. Freyr got up shakily, desperate to get away from all these people. She turned to Vreta and mumbled something which may have sounded like 'thank you for saving me' before rushing to the centre of the room and logging out of the Cradle.</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang After a cacophonous couple of hours, the silence from Freyr's apartment closed in like water, miles under the ocean. She gasped for breath and jumped from the sofa. Seeing Karos Childermass sitting motionless in the armchair, Freyr pivoted and stumbled to her kitchen area. Grabbing up the same cup she'd dropped upon learning he was visiting, Freyr once again filled it with water. She managed one trembling sip before her feelings overwhelmed her. She howled ugly sounds and cried into her cup, stooped over the kitchen worktop by her sink. Eventually, she slid down the side of the kitchen units to sit on the warm wooden floor, her face in her hands. After a couple of minutes, Demeter came online. "Welcome back, Dr Lang. I've detected that your guest, Dr Childermass, has suffered catastrophic brain trauma consistent with 'Cradle Death', and is now in a comatose state. I will inform the relevant medical autho-...manual override initiated." Freyr looked up, confused and teary, as everything powered down in her apartment. After nearly a minute, the lights blinked back on and Demeter returned. "Good afternoon, Dr Lang. There is a visitor for you approaching your front door. Would you like me to let them in?" "What? No. Who are they?" Freyr demanded, wiping tears from her eyes and getting up off the floor. "They are here to extract the body of Dr Childermass and update your medications." Demeter replied blankly. Freyr moved quickly into the hallway and grabbed her pistol out of its holster on a coat hook. Creeping to the door's peephole, she saw a woman with short blond hair and the same black uniform as the man with augmented eyes. "Good afternoon, Dr Lang. Please open the door, i know you're here." She looked right in the peephole. Realising she had basically no choice, Freyr opened the door a crack and stared defiantly out at her, hand tightening around her pistol which she kept out of sight. The woman smiled encouragingly. "Hi. I'm sorry about your colleague. I'm here to take him to cold storage and give you these." She held up a canister of small pills. "They'll help you process your feelings and keep a more level head. If that's what you want." Any fight that Freyr might have had seeped from her body. She opened her door fully and let the woman file into her apartment. She wasted no time, putting the pills down on the kitchen counter before walking over to Karos. Freyr followed her, finally summoning up the courage to kneel beside her boss' inert body. She hated the way they'd left things, and wished she could turn back time. Karos had pulled a really manipulative move on her, getting her into the Cradle to confirm David's likeness. But that didn't cancel out ten years of mentorship and good memories. Freyr understood now just how desperate he was. She was also getting an idea of how much was at stake here. Through gritted teeth, she resolved to not let his death be in vain. She gripped his hand and gave it one last squeeze. The woman attached a small module to the underside of Karos' right shoe, which quickly unfurled into a strong plastic covering that tightly enveloped his whole body. She also unfolded a hovering stretcher, just like the one Freyr had pushed Major Osman along in barely an hour before. The module on Karos' shoe lifted his whole body, wrapped in plastic, up into the air and gently laid it down on the stretcher. It then began maneuvering slowly out of the flat - the woman followed alongside it. At the door, she stopped and turned to Freyr. "Again, i'm really sorry for everything you've been through. Please try to get some rest and drink some fluids. We'll be in touch tomorrow morning." She touched Freyr's arm supportively, which she flinched away from. The woman and her stretcher then left her apartment, with Demeter closing the door behind them. Freyr stood staring at the door for a long time after they'd gone.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori With his message sent, Vreta could finally start trying to put the day's events behind him. Through experience and a cool head, he had gotten out alive, and if he could help it, he was going to try to avoid entering the hellscape that was the Cradle again. What he had witnessed only cemented his views on Humanity's exploitation of the Cradle. It was technology they did not understand, and they were foolish for intertwining it so deeply into their society. They were so desperate to try and push their technology forward that Outremer was now dependant on what could essentially be a time bomb. The creatures could not have come from anywhere but the Cradle itself, and no one, not even the Rothians, knew the true purpose of the Cradle. Now that he was out of danger, Vreta did have the opportunity to think in more depth about what he had witnessed. He wished he could have had access to his implants through it all, for a multitude of reasons, but mostly for the purpose of recordkeeping. With his implants, he could have recorded everything he saw so he could go back and view it again to catch anything he missed. Regardless, his neural implants now, at the very least, could save his memories as they were so they did not degrade any farther. Once again, Vreta found himself laying back on his couch, his feet hanging partially off the side. Normally after such physical exertion, he would have worked up an appetite, but he supposed none of that exercise was truly real. So, instead of a second dinner, he thought back on the details of his experience. Of particular interest to Vreta was his brief conversation with one of the creatures. The way he saw it, there were two likely possibilities for what they were: Human minds that had been corrupted in some way, or independent intelligences that came from within the Cradle. Or some combination of the two. The most striking evidence of the former was that the creature had used a face that the Human, Freyr, had recognized. Vreta distinctly remembered the creature claiming "They are mine" when she asked about her husband. However, Vreta also remembered a part of the conversation that would have been strange for just corrupted Humans. When it was just him and the creature, it spoke of recognizing Vreta. It would not make much sense for it to be speaking of him as an individual, since he hardly knew any Humans on this planet personally, so all that was left was for it to be speaking of him as a Rothian. The phrasing was strange, too. It spoke of him "crawling from the ocean to the rocks", as he remembered it. The Cradle was a truly ancient supercomputer, and those words made it sound like its creators had watched the Rothian species itself evolve. Though, he did not want to make such rash assumptions just yet. There were other ways he could interpret the encounter. Perhaps this was some combination of an independent intelligence within the Cradle, and corrupted Human minds? Perhaps it had gone insane as a result?</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Eventually, Freyr put her pistol back in it's holster and manually bolted the door. She wandered back into the living area, her eyes transfixed on the now empty armchair. Her breaths arrived in ragged gulps, and she realised her heart was racing. She shakily picked up the canister of pills and examined the prescription label. It had her name, address and dose instructions all printed out. Take one daily, with food. She opened the lid and shook a pill out. Water wasn't going to cut it, Freyr decided, so she pulled a bottle of dark red wine from the rack, poured a large glass and took the pill with a big slug of that. She had no idea if the medication was really as they'd described, but at this point she didn't care. Taking a few more sips from her wine, Freyr sat down on her sofa and wondered what to do. Sleep seemed impossible at the moment. As horrific as today had been, she felt an undercurrent of inspiration struggling to break free. She'd had the first piece of evidence that her family may be alive. The creature had practically said so. She just needed to piece together all the information she had, and carry on building up a picture. Her thoughts drifted back to Vreta, the alien she'd found talking to that thing with David's face. Why had he been there at exactly that time? Had he been looking for something too? The alien had obviously witnessed something, something Freyr needed to know. With night falling on Babylon and rain still pattering against her tall windows, Freyr activated her comms implant while absently sketching the legs and body of the ant creature and sipping her wine. Now, what was the name of the hotel Vreta had said he was staying at. Syna something? She began trying combinations and quickly found it. She put in a call request with the hotel AI who forwarded it to Vreta's room. She grew nervous as she waited for him to pick up, not quite sure what to expect. When he finally did, she began talking quickly. "Hi, Mr Sori? It's Freyr Lang here. Sorry to disturb you, but i can't stop thinking about that moment back in the warehouse. Can we talk? As you may have realised, the reason I barged in like that was because it...it looked like my husband. He was abducted along with my daughter a few months ago and I've been searching for them. I'm not really sure what I'm looking for, but I believe any information you have about the creature could be useful. I'm a xeno-biologist, you see… I realise i'm gabbling now, but could we please just start from the top?"</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta paused just a moment in consideration of Freyr's suggestion. His ideal situation would be to hold the meeting in his apartment, as he had already made certain that he could keep anything that happened within its walls away from prying eyes. However, he doubted that would be an option in this case. Still, it was no disaster. With the right applications of the tools at his disposal, he could control recordings of him in public spaces almost as well. The program that ran his neural implants was essentially an AI by Human standards, albeit a specialized one. With his thoughts directing it, he could tailor custom malware to invade Human networks and manipulate them in real-time. His power over them was not limitless, but he was confident in the sophistication of his programs. "I…can't say I know what Goi Cuon is, but I'm willing to try it." Vreta answered, matching her somewhat more positive tone. "I do want to talk about this as well. Maybe together we can make some sense of the insanity that has been this evening. Just give me an address, and I will make my way there as soon as I can." --- Vreta had not required much in the way of preparation. For him, the vast majority of what he needed to do his job could be found under his scales. Even if he carried nothing with him, he was, with the notable exception of the Cradle, always prepared. Traversing the city was much slower than back home, but he had been in the city for long enough to have grown accustomed to it. When he finally did arrive at Boycott Park, there was a moment where Vreta lost focus on the task ahead of him. The food market itself was, from his perspective, a rather unique sight. It was in the center of a fairly large park, wide and open, with plenty of natural flora. It felt separate from the rest of the city, and the market even moreso. It had a myriad of small, privately-owned stalls all packed closely together. It was a place he would describe as vibrant and lively. Even as the sun was beginning to set over the horizon, the crowds did not seem to diminish. Many of the pathways were lit by paper candles hanging on strings crossing over them. The general glow of the city surrounding them likely would have been enough to illuminate the area, in any case, but they did add to the visual appeal. It was places like this that Vreta enjoyed to visit, and it was one of the advantages of working outside of Rothian territory. By the way the crowds acted, he could tell it was not just a novelty to them. It was…genuine, not a tourist attraction. For a moment, Vreta was tempted to follow his nose to the most interesting of the scents that filled the air, but he could not be shaken from his purpose for long. He had a task ahead of him. He went ahead and planted his program in the city's public network by hiding it in a simple request for a map of the local area. From there, it could start its work on breaking through security protections. With that situated, he sent a quick message to Freyr to inform her that he had arrived. Somehow, he doubted he would be hard to find in the crowd.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang After giving Vreta the name of the park and it's nearest transport links, Freyr went to the hall and put on a warm, waterproof coat. She eyed the pistol hanging up on it's hook for a couple of seconds before electing to leave it. She didn't want to be that person who was packing heat the whole time. The street food market was only a few hundred metres from the door of her building, and it was well lit the whole way. Crime was very low in this part of Babylon, but something about this meeting was still making her uneasy. Freyr was blown away by how effectively the pill she'd just taken was working; she wasn't a ball of tangled emotions anymore. Her fear and grief and anger were still there, but they were cold, manageable objects that she could store at the back of her mind. So that's what she did, at least while she could. Freyr left her apartment and went down a lift to the tastefully appointed lobby. "Going somewhere nice, Dr Lang?" Demeter politely asked, inhabiting the concierge droid by the front doors. "Just to the street food market, Dem." Freyr smiled. "Won't be long." The droid bowed slightly, and threw a small orb gentle into the air. It quickly expanded into a thin, wide covering that moved to hover above Freyr's head. "For the rain, ma'am. Enjoy your walk." The AI purred. Freyr got a notification from Vreta, informing her of his arrival, so she just nodded and moved past the droid. She pulled her coat together and stepped out into the rain, the majority of it being deflected by her covering. She crossed the road and entered the familiar lantern-illuminated path to the centre of Boycott Park, where the street food market hid behind an arrangement of manicured bushes. The panoply of delicious smells greeted Freyr as she walked through a leafy archway into the wide cobbled square. One of the store vendors recognised her and called a friendly greeting. She smiled clumsily, aware they were probably curious why she hadn't shown up for so long when this place was previously a nightly excursion. She'd stopped coming when David & Amy were taken; she couldn't face all of the memories of them. Freyr found Vreta standing awkwardly among all the hungry people moving between stalls; she noticed some were giving him funny looks and a wide berth. She approached the tall alien. "Hey. Thanks for coming." She smiled, trying to be friendly. "Are you hungry? That neo-Viet stall I love is over there." She pointed to a colourful wooden stand with a laughing couple chopping vegetables and meat into large pans together.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta's eyes scanned the crowd to search for Freyr. It was something of a difficult task for him to spot her out among all of the other Humans, especially since he did not have an image of her on record as he usually would have for Humans he wanted to remember. His Rothian mind was not designed to pick up on Human facial features, so having images for reference could help him interact more naturally with them in social situations. The rain also presented a problem in that most of the crowd were walking around with coverings over their heads to keep them dry. Rain did not bother Vreta nearly as much as it seemed to affect Humans. His scaly skin was waterproof, so the rain slid off of him easily. Fortunately, it was far easier for Freyr to pick Vreta out of a crowd, so it did not take long for her to approach him and grab his attention. By that point, his program had embedded itself firmly in various corner's of the district's public network. In many ways, it was like a living thing in itself, maneuvering its way through the city's software unseen and hiding in the shadows of other programs from the automated intrusion detection system. The Cradle itself might have been peer to Rothian technology, but his program was still hundreds of years more advance than anything Human-made that might try to root it out. With the access he now had, Vreta did not yet do anything disruptive. He simply had his program identify any camera or other sensor that could see or hear himself or Freyr so that he could make changes to what they observed if he deemed it necessary. For the moment, however, Vreta did not require any secrecy. He matched her friendly approach with just as friendly of a greeting. "Hello. It is no trouble to be here. I think this is something we can both benefit from talking about." He remarked as he started to look around the market, particularly at the stall Freyr pointed out. He did not want to rush straight into business, as some more casual conversation could be useful to obscure what they were discussing. "I shall be honest, I do not know what that is, but I am eager to try it. Coming to places like this, it is one of the things I enjoy about working in foreign space. Stepping into this market is like stepping back in time. I'm sure I could find something like it somewhere in Rothian space, but that would be no more than a novelty. This is just…a part of your city. There are many of my kind that find it dangerous just to leave Rothian worlds, but I do think it worth a little risk to really experience the galaxy. I learned as much as I could about your people's cultures before I came here, but it is quite different to experience it in person."</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr couldn't help but smile as she heard the Rothian (she finally placed the species name) speak. "Well, i'm glad i could add to your time here!" She grinned as they walked to the stall. The owners recognised Freyr immediately, and greeted her fondly, but cast a wary eye over her alien companion. Freyr returned the greeting in their own language, the words and their pronunciation being fed into her mind via her comms implant. She then slowly introduced Vreta'Sori to them, before moving on to order two portions of Gỏi cuốn. They arrived quickly - three semi-transparent rolls each, sat on giant lettuce leaves in a takeaway box. The stallholders didn't seem keen on handing the second box to the giant lizard, so Freyr quickly took it from them and handed it to Vreta. With their food now served, Freyr guided them through the crowd to a cluster of long wooden benches which they could sit on and eat. Freyr mopped up some of the rainwater stuck on the bench with her napkins before settling down. "So, Rothian huh? I remember studying you guys in university. How does eternal life treat you? I think I'd go mad after a while." Freyr realised that was slightly morbid but couldn't row back now, so she leant into it. "I guess there are ways of 'mixing things up', in a manner of speaking?" She wrapped the first of her rolls in a lettuce leaf, dipped it into the little pot of sweet sauce provided and took a bite, savouring the delicious mix of flavours.</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Chapter 2 - Perfidious Dark She was back in the Cradle. Everything around her was wrapped in night, a perfidious dark, crisscrossed with purple skeins on the walls, ceiling and floor. She looked down at her hands; they were covered in black, bristling algae. It crept up her body, toothy shoots wrapping around her neck. She opened her mouth to scream, and algae sprouted from in there too, curling around her lips and blocking her nose. "Mummy?" A small, thin voice called from the dark. She looked up, unable to breathe but still searching for her daughter. The algae crawled past her eyelids and wriggled under her eyes. She couldn't blink. "Freyr, where are you?" A man's voice called, far away. She called back with every fibre of her being, but could only manage a muffled hum, deep within her throat. Something in the darkness chuckled. A pale human face, one she remembered, but with black eyes and a gaping black hole for a mouth, appeared from the dark in front of her. "I can seeeee youuuu." It sang, it's voice wet and somehow dead. She screamed anew. The face flew toward her, on the end of a giant insect creature. It's mouth grew wider and long, sharp teeth appeared that filled her vision as the algae covered her eyes- Freyr thrashed around, screaming into her pillow until she was finally awake and her covers lay on the floor. She heard clattering and looked around just as Masgard, the lawyer from yesterday, and four guards with guns burst into her bedroom. "Dr Lang!" Masgard shouted, then he surveyed the look on Freyr's face and the abandoned covers and realised what had happened. "Bad dream?" He asked. Freyr nodded, grabbing the covers back up to drape them over herself. "Clear." Officers began calling from all corners of the apartment, including in the bedroom. "Ok, everyone out please! I need to talk to my client. I'll let you get dressed, Dr Lang. Sorry for the disturbance; we thought someone was trying to kill you." Masgard grinned sheepishly. Once everyone had left her bedroom, Freyr quickly changed from her night clothes into some sturdy, comfortable trousers, her work boots & gloves, and a black tank top. She rejoined the living room, where Masgard was waiting with two takeaway cups and a large paper bag. "I brought some pastries and something hot to drink." Freyr was actually starving after only eating a small part of her dinner, so thanked him and tucked in. "So, i have news from the Cradle." Masgard began after they'd each eaten a pastry. He sat across the breakfast bar from her, his hands clasped around his cup of tea. Freyr looked up. "What's that?" She said after politely swallowing what was in her mouth at the time. "This is classified top secret. You Know Who-..." Masgard tapped just below his right eye, taking Freyr instantly back to the mysterious man with the augmented eyes. "...-wanted to bring you back into the Cradle personally to hear this, but i persuaded him you needed a little time away from that place." Freyr smiled gratefully. "Thank you, i appreciate that. After last night i…definitely need some time to decompress." She grabbed the canister of pills that were still sitting on the counter, and took one with her tea. "So..." Masgard leaned forward, drawing Freyr in with him. "They sent a team back beyond the Border last night, to investigate the equipment that abomination with the human face was playing with. They found some advanced Rothian-tech communications array, with an activity log. It seems the creature used a testing backdoor to commandeer several comms arrays here, in real-world Babylon. It sent several encrypted bursts to coordinates on the surface of Rothia, the Rothians' homeworld." Freyr couldn't believe what she was hearing. "Are you telling me that thing was trying to talk to someone, light years away?" Masgard shrugged. "I'm not an expert, but those are the facts so far, yes." Freyr took a big sip of her tea, deep in thought.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Depite having been up late into the night, Vreta still had no choice but to start his morning early. The events of the previous day had generated enough paperwork and meetings to fill most of his morning. Though, the night had, at the very least, dealt with his wounds. The holes that had been melted through his flesh were nowhere to be seen once he removed his bandages. The new scales that had grown over them were immaculate, with not so much as a scar to remind him of his ordeal. As well, his implants' readout of his current vitals showed no remains of his internal injuries. The nanites that had flooded his body had worked quickly to mend him. Once their task was complete, the majority of his nanites returned to a dormant state, while the excess he had been injected with had recycled themselves into raw materials. On the insistence of the local police, Vreta gave his statement just after having a rather sizable breakfast. Fortunately, the police were willing to come to the embassy to speak with him, else there would have been more delays with arranging an escort for him. When speaking with the Humans about the attack, Vreta kept his responses straightforward and fact-oriented. He provided them with a copy of his recording of the attack, and for any questions he answered, he tended to just explain what happened in that recording. Altogether, he made sure that any word he gave on record to the Outremer government could not be disputed for its accuracy. It was not until Vreta was able to get a secure, superluminal comms line back to his superiors on Rothia that he started to give his own judgment on the events of the previous day, both in the Cradle and out. In his opinion, there were opportunities now that the Rothians could not afford to waste if they wanted to uncover the mysteries of the Humans' prized Cradle. In Vreta's opinion, the attacks by the creatures in the Cradle showed that Outremer's government did not have as firm of control over the Cradle as they would like their people to believe. He could not know if this was a new development, or if attacks like this had occurred in the past and subsequently been swept under the rug. However, the fact that so much of Outremer's administration and organization was tied to the Cradle made them especially vulnerable to any problems with it. The fact that Vreta had seen this might have been a motivation for the attack in the park. Most certainly, Vreta did not believe it was Skinners that were responsible for the attempt on his life. Vreta had seen firsthand that the Cradle was fighting back against the Humans. That was a vulnerability that the Rothians could leverage, so the attack could have been motivated by a desire to prevent Vreta from sharing what he had learned. The fact that he had survived, though, made matters all that much worse for the Humans. Unless their government was willing to throw their agent to the wolves and brand her a terrorist, they had compelling evidence that there was a government-sponsored attempt on a Rothian citizen's life. That alone could be a justification for war, but even if his people did not want to resort to violence, it could also motivate damaging sanctions to the Outremer economy. What Vreta had not expected was that the Humans themselves would be the one to call a meeting. Rothian diplomats had already been preparing to demand a meeting with Human officials to discuss the previous day's events, but before that demand could be made, they were sent a request for a meeting with the apparent purpose of discussing the Cradle. It was not a move that Vreta would have expected, given their previous patterns of behavior, which made him wonder if there was something more he did not know? In any case, due to his personal experience with the attacks in the Cradle, the Rothian representatives had requested his presence at the meeting. Whatever the Humans' motivations, Vreta would be able to see them in person.</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr thought back to her discussion with the Rothian, Vreta, idly massaging her arm. He'd said the creature with David's face had talked about 'finding toys' just after using that communications array. With this new information, she concluded it was highly likely 'toys' was a way for an immature construct to assign value to something it didn't have Human words for yet. The question was, who's vocabulary did it pluck this word from? Freyr couldn't help but think it was her daughter, Amy's, lexicon. The evidence so far pointed to them being alive in some form in the Cradle. She just had to find them. "In fact, there's a meeting this morning with the Rothians. We're going to look for permission to open an investigation on the coordinates we pulled from the arrays. Blue Eye Guy has requested your attendance, as the Cradle Research Division's new head." Freyr sharply looked up from staring into her tea. "That's Karos' job." She snapped. Masgard regarded her sympathetically for a moment. "Dr Lang, Dr Childermass died in the Cradle... I'm told you were very close...I'm sorry." The medication hadn't kicked in yet, and Freyr could feel anger and grief bubbling up to the surface. She felt her grip tighten on her drink. "He's been gone less than a day, and already they've made me head of department?" Masgard nodded. "The guy moves quickly, I must admit. He said it'd be good for you to link up with your team to-" Freyr crushed her takeaway cup between her fingers, sloshing hot tea all over the breakfast bar. "THEY'RE ALL FUCKING DEAD! And now you look at me like I know how to fix this!" She exploded, standing up and glaring at Masgard with tears suddenly streaming down her face. The lawyer awkwardly grabbed up his cup and the bag of pastries to prevent them from getting wet. Freyr hissed as the pain from her burned hand kicked in. She rushed to the sink and held it under cold water. The sensation triggered memories of the energy burn she'd sustained to the same arm in the Cradle. "Freyr…" Masgard soothed, coming around to the sink. "I've read your file. You are the brightest mind in your field. No one else has your combination of specialised education, knowledge of the Cradle, and first-hand experience of what it's capable of now. If anyone can figure out how to fix this, it's you!" Freyr pushed past him, heading into the bedroom and slamming the door. Masgard stood outside, trying to listen to what was going on inside. "With the amount of infrastructure that relies on the Cradle, i don't need to tell you what is at stake if it gets any worse." Eventually, Freyr emerged from her bedroom, jumper on. "Come on. Let's go to the meeting." She sighed, motioning with her head to the door, hands in pockets. Masgard grinned. "Now that is the spirit!"</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Ambassador Taranik, Counselor Joll, and Vreta were all unfazed by the Director General's accusations, owing to their experience. Only the attaché, Mras, showed any discernible reaction, though he was not privy to the full truth as the other Rothians were. The Ambassador waited patiently for the Human to complete his statement in full, conferring just briefly with her associates beside her before giving their response. "Director General, it is my understanding that Vreta'Sori gave a full statement that explained his presence in the Cradle to you personally. As such, I would expect that you would have been able to confirm his story with both the Rothian and Human corporations involved. I have already been able to do so, without issue. I would expect that you currently know that he was being truthful regarding his association with the corporation that owned the warehouse in question. If you have any evidence of an ulterior motive for Vreta'Sori's presence in the Cradle during the event, then you may present it. Otherwise, I will have to insist that you make no further attempts to derail this discussion with baseless accusations." The Ambassador replied calmly, but firmly. Once she got her necessary response to the rather serious accusation of espionage out of the way, Taranik moved on to the more impactful parts of the discussion. "But yes, the reason we are here for this meeting is because we still believe in the idea of cooperation between our people, despite the evidence of an attack against one of our citizens, supported by Agent Five Nine Five. Although I do admit that the likelihood of such cooperation has been compromised by this event, I still do retain hope that we might come to some accord. But before we can make any decisions regarding your agent, I do wish to hear what you have to say about the Cradle. About the reason you have called this meeting today." Although the Ambassador had given no indication of agreeing to the Director General's demand, there was at least a slight concession buried in her response. Despite announcing her belief in the agent's association with the attack, she, rather specifically, did not take further negotiations off of the table. The contradiction was enough to demonstrate that she was willing to work with him on an agreement, but the Rothians knew that Outremer did not have nearly a strong enough position to make them give in to such demands right away.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang The Director-General chuckled as the Ambassador defended her charge, rubbing his clearly shaven chin on a knuckle. "Sure thing." He winked an augmented eye at Vreta. "I'm sure your man has updated you on what happened last night, so I won't go into all the details. But I sent a team back to the compound after those things had cleared out. They discovered the creature Vreta was chatting with had been using a Rothian testing backdoor to manipulate a long-range comms array here on Babylon. It was trying to ping something using a very precise set of coordinates. And do you know where those coordinates led us?" The Director-General took another sip of water. This was the part that truly excited Freyr. She simply had to find out what the creatures from the Cradle wanted so much. She jumped in almost without realising it. "Somewhere on Rothia." "Exactly right, Dr Lang!" The Director-General grinned, clapping his hands loudly together and slapping them back down onto the table. "Somewhere on Rothia. And I'm willing to bet my ridiculous government paycheck that you can't detect it on your own. Otherwise, you would've found it already. So, I am proposing a joint expedition to Rothia, to figure out whatever that creature was trying to communicate with. With the galaxy's most informed Cradle experts…" The Director motioned to Freyr and her deputies stood behind her "at the helm, i'm certain we'll be able to track it down. In exchange for your full support on this expedition, and dropping all charges against Five Nine Five, we will share the knowledge of whatever we find with you. You can't say fairer than that."</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Moreso than anything said so far, the claim that the creature had attempted to make contact with a location on Rothia caused a stir among the Rothian delegation. There were quick looks between one another, as well as frantic conversation in their minds between their implants. "The creature attempted to make contact with something on Rothia? Did you see anything that would confirm that, Vreta?" The Ambassador asked. "No, not directly at least." Vreta answered. "There was no way for me to examine the comms device before the creature turned hostile. I can say that it did seem to be familiar with me as a Rothian, but its words were vague. One interpretation of those words would imply that the creature, or its creators, was aware of our people early in our evolution." The Ambassador gave a glance towards their technical advisor. "Mras, is what the Humans say even possible? Could a Cradle program even send a message outside the simulation?" Mras did not appear entirely confident, but he answered nonetheless. "I would have to study the Cradle directly to give a definitive answer, but conceptually, there would be nothing preventing it. Everything we know about the Cradle suggests that, for all its mystery, it is simply a highly-advanced and ancient computer. A computer that has been linked with almost every aspect of Outremer's infrastructure. I do not know what limits the simulation imposes, but an artificial intelligence within could attempt to access those connections." "There is always the chance that this is a fabrication, but…to what end?" Counselor Joll commented. "The patterns of Human behavior regarding the Cradle have been remarkably consistent for as long as we have known them. They want to keep it to themselves. They do not even share it freely with other Human colonies. This revelation, if true, would mean that they will need to go to Rothia to find their answers. They would have no choice but to cooperate with us, which, of course, gives us a great deal of leverage in the negotiations. I simply can think of no motivation for them to lie about this." Once she heard the others' opinions, the Ambassador wasted no more time. "If what you say is true, this could be a remarkable development, Director-General. You will have to forgive some skepticism, as our planet has been mapped in extensive detail, but there is enough uncertainty that I can entertain the idea there may be something to it. I can say that we are interested in the cooperative study of the Cradle, but it must be a full partnership. If there is indeed something connected to the Cradle on our homeworld, we must be able to study both what is found on Rothia, and the Cradle here on Outremer. With you being afforded the same courtesy, naturally."</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang "Hmm. No, no that won't do at all." The Director-General smiled. The blue points of light in his eyes all cycled one position anti-clockwise. "Some of my counterparts might ask for access to your antimatter infrastructure, or something like that, in return. But I know you won't entertain that possibility, because your technology means to you what the Cradle means to me. I was negotiating with an open mind, but it seems you aren't ready to be serious with us. For that reason, this meeting is over. Come on, everyone." The Director-General stood up, expertly scooping his jacket off the back of his chair and putting it back on. The Under-Secretary, who had sat slightly open-mouthed as the Director-General played a weak hand with magnetic energy, decided to throw his weight behind the maneuver. As he stood up with the rest of the human delegation, he addressed the Ambassador directly. "Thank you for your time, Ambassador Taranik. Would you please inform the Zuraxi'Synkuur corporation to expect a full audit of its operations, in line with the Outremer Espionage Act, and to update its clients? We'll need to ask all employees and consultants to provide a complete previous employment history. If you have any questions, please just let my office know." Freyr got up hesitantly from her chair. "What is happening?" She sent to Masgard. "I'll explain later." He sent back, putting his jacket back on. He came over, smiling encouragingly, and put a hand on her back to softly guide her toward the door along with Dr Uchida and Dr Kamau.</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang After the meeting, they had a polite wrapping up and goodbye outside in the courtyard garden, by the cars. They all congratulated Freyr on her promotion again, then the Director-General requested Under-Secretary Sequeira and Masgard Xandrus ride with him. Freyr thought the man was struggling to hide his apoplexy, although that may have just been because one of the spotlights in each of his eyes momentarily blinked red. It happened so fast, as they were shaking hands, and the Director-General didn't acknowledge Freyr's concerned look, choosing instead to quickly retire to his flyer. But she definitely saw something lurking underneath his calm exterior. Once they'd gone, Freyr, Dr Uchida and Dr Kamau went for lunch together, closely guarded by plain clothes police officers. This lunch eventually turned into dinner and drinks, with the two esteemed scientists catching her up on everything that had happened during her absence from duty. Apparently, things had changed dramatically from that fateful night when Freyr's husband and daughter were taken. A lot of the civil servants in senior Cradle management positions had been replaced by shadowy, highly knowledgeable individuals. Uchida and Kamau suspected these people reported into even more unknown quantities like the Director-General. This new management cadre was arguably far more capable in affairs of the Cradle than the previous elected representatives; they quickly and efficiently put the Cradle apparatus on a new path. One that focused less on expanding the Cradle's usable territory and much more on trying to understand and dampen it's capabilities. Kamau and Uchida suspected this group had the tacit support of the administration outside of the Cradle, as massively increased emergency budgets got signed off with practically no fanfare. Freyr finally gave her statement on the events in Boycott Park to the police upon returning to her apartment. She started back at work the next day, logging into the Cradle from the comfort of her constantly guarded living room. She found out on her first day back that all private sector Cradle leases and contracts were now being bought out. All non-essential access had been revoked. Freyr also received a new and improved NDA to sign, making all new information about the Cradle classified top secret. Freyr quickly confirmed her suspicions that the Cradle Research & Development division was in disarray. Giving a collection of brilliant but entrenched scientists a massive budget and lots of ambitious young graduates, and then changing the division's entire mission statement within a few months was always going to be a tough ask. Karos had made a start, but he'd always been something of a traditionalist. So Freyr's first major challenge was getting the team ready for anything. She had her work cut out. A few weeks after the incident at the testing facility, the Border began encroaching on colonised territory in a few hot spots. Terraformers with upgraded gear successfully reversed the advance. Until a few weeks after that, when the Border began shifting again, all across the frontier. All manner of creatures ventured from beyond the opaque bulwark, wreaking havoc upon squads of Terraformers and CraSec guards. Strange power surges hit the occupied zone every week, momentarily changing the pearl white facades of the administration's new fortress cities into…something else. A twisted labyrinth of organic matter, like some sick perversion of the structures that had stood in their place just moments before. A few months passed. Freyr found herself practically living in the Cradle, working day and night to roll back the advance. She'd almost forgotten about the meeting at the Rothian Embassy in the maelstrom of other meetings and planning sessions. That is, until she got a message from Masgard Xandrus, her public liaison and legal representation. It said the Outremer administration had made a good deal with the Rothians. They had a working partnership, and an expedition to Rothia was being made ready to leave tomorrow. Freyr was to lead it, leaving both her deputies, Dr Uchida and Dr Kamau (she hadn't been able to choose between them), to hold the fort.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori In the aftermath of their meeting with the Director-General, Vreta did not spend much more time on Outremer. He stayed long enough to cover his tracks, as well as to deal with some matters for the corporation he was representing and keep up his cover story. However, he eventually returned to Rothia after less than a week for the official reason of safety, given that he was the target of a supposed terrorist attack. From there, he continued in an advisory position regarding the situation on Outremer. The approach of the Rahn'Masser in the months that followed was one of patience, on Vreta's own advice. They took no further risks with trying to learn what the Humans were keeping hidden, and instead simply monitored the situation through publicly-available means. The fact that the Cradle was heavily locked-down by the Outremer government was essentially confirmation that the event Vreta witnessed was not an isolated one. There was even a growing sentiment of concern and confusion from Outremer's citizens on their government's sudden and drastic reversal of policy in regards to the Cradle. Frequent, rolling power outages across Outremer's infrastructure also spoke to persistent issues within the Cradle. The Rothians could not know the details from the outside, but from their perspective, they did not need to. They just needed to wait long enough for desperation to set in. They did, in the meantime, attempt to search for whatever it was the creature in the Cradle had supposedly tried to contact on Rothia, but without any information on where or what it was they were looking for, finding it in any quick time was only a remote possibility. Eventually, the months of waiting were rewarded. Vreta himself was not involved in the negotiations, but the agreement the Rothian government reached with Outremer gave them a satisfactory degree of cooperation in the investigation. With the information they were given, they quickly began to assemble a research team, mobilize soldiers for security roles, and gather ample resources to assist the investigation. For Vreta himself, he finally had a direct part to play once more. Officially, he had retired from his position at the Zuraxi'Synkuur corporation and had taken a position as a government contractor in its place. He had been appointed as the Rothian liaison to the Human half of the task force that was quickly forming. Given his specific experience with both Humanity and the Cradle, as well as his skillset, he was the natural choice for both official and unofficial purposes. --- Vreta could not say he was thrilled about the prospect of logging in to the Cradle once again, but at least this time he was in more control of the situation. For one, he had his own pistol at his side, as well as a retinue of armed and armored Rothian soldiers at his side. Human entry harnesses still could not simulate Rothian technology, so their arms and armor were all of Human origin, adapted to their bodies, but at least he was not so defenseless. However, the main reason he felt comfortable entering this nightmare of a simulation was that he would not be wandering more than a city block away from the transit station. He went to the CraSec outpost just next to his entry point, sent word to the Director of the Human contribution to the expedition, and stayed put exactly where he was to wait for their arrival.</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Vreta had logged into the seat of Outremer's power in the Cradle, New Antioch. It was a gleaming city state of white gold towers and painstakingly terraformed gardens. Architecture from all ages and locations of human progress were present, from pseudo-ornate crenellations to modern skyscrapers. The only real 'city' of this size in the Cradle, New Antioch sat on the first available entrypoint for those brave first colonists, hundreds of years ago. When they first managed to enter the Cradle, a sea of darkness greeted them. So the settlers set about building a walled, brightly lit enclave from which to begin their expansion. It wasn't much to start with, as they basically had to terraform everything from scratch. As the human's understanding of the Cradle improved, many scholars agreed that the most efficient way to expand Humanity's access to the Cradle was to spread out across the landscape into power-rich areas. But New Antioch, or NA for short, remained as the administrative hub, and was gradually transformed from a ramshackle FOB into an impressive, compact example of Humanity's terraforming prowess. Freyr had mostly been based in NA's Institute For Cradle Research since returning to work. It was a grand, dome shaped building near the centre of the city. The interior had been recently rebuilt using techniques considered least perceptive to the recent power surges. Freyr was considered a high value asset, so was strongly advised to remain within the relative safety of NA as much as possible. Freyr and a team of scientists were busy conducting surgery on a live specimen from beyond the Border when her comms implant signalled a call from CraSec. Stepping away from the mutant body, Freyr accepted the call. "Go for Dr Lang." "Ma'am, there's a Rothian by the name of Vreta'Sori here to see you." Freyr narrowed her eyes for a moment as she tried to place that name. "Oh yeah! I know who that is. Can you put him through to me please?" When Vreta's ID appeared in her HUD, Freyr tried to greet him warmly, despite how exhausted she was. "Good afternoon, Vreta'Sori. Long time no speak! I heard about the partnership, is that why you're here? I'm at the IFCR if you want to speak in person."</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Vreta had logged into the seat of Outremer's power in the Cradle, New Antioch. It was a gleaming city state of white gold towers and painstakingly terraformed gardens. Architecture from all ages and locations of human progress were present, from pseudo-ornate crenellations to modern skyscrapers. The only real 'city' of this size in the Cradle, New Antioch sat on the first available entrypoint for those brave first colonists, hundreds of years ago. When they first managed to enter the Cradle, a sea of darkness greeted them. So the settlers set about building a walled, brightly lit enclave from which to begin their expansion. It wasn't much to start with, as they basically had to terraform everything from scratch. As the human's understanding of the Cradle improved, many scholars agreed that the most efficient way to expand Humanity's access to the Cradle was to spread out across the landscape into power-rich areas. But New Antioch, or NA for short, remained as the administrative hub, and was gradually transformed from a ramshackle FOB into an impressive, compact example of Humanity's terraforming prowess. Freyr had mostly been based in NA's Institute For Cradle Research since returning to work. It was a grand, dome shaped building near the centre of the city. The interior had been recently rebuilt using techniques considered least perceptive to the recent power surges. Freyr was considered a high value asset, so was strongly advised to remain within the relative safety of NA as much as possible. Freyr and a team of scientists were busy conducting surgery on a live specimen from beyond the Border when her comms implant signalled a call from CraSec. Stepping away from the mutant body, Freyr accepted the call. "Go for Dr Lang." "Ma'am, there's a Rothian by the name of Vreta'Sori here to see you." Freyr narrowed her eyes for a moment as she tried to place that name. "Oh yeah! I know who that is. Can you put him through to me please?" When Vreta's ID appeared in her HUD, Freyr tried to greet him warmly, despite how exhausted she was. "Good afternoon, Vreta'Sori. Long time no speak! I heard about the partnership, is that why you're here? I'm at the IFCR if you want to speak in person."</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori While not a terribly large city, this place, New Antioch, did seem far more civilized than the other parts of the Cradle Vreta had seen. It was not his first time coming here, as there had been more than a few meetings in the city back when he was still undercover. Truthfully, it did not look too different from the last time he had been here, based on his brief glimpse of the city from walking across the street outside the transit station. Although, he supposed that, out of anywhere in the Cradle, New Antioch would be among the last places to be affected if the troubles he had witnessed months before were indeed getting worse. In any case, it did not take long for Vreta to be connected in a call to Human Science Director for their expedition on Rothia. It was a slight surprise to him that he recognized the name, though he supposed it should not have been too much of one. Dr. Lang was, after all, one of the foremost experts on the Cradle. Given how the Director-General had stormed out of that meeting months prior, he felt sure that the Humans had expended nearly every other option they had before going back to making a deal with them. The lead on Rothia was likely the best they had remaining, so it made sense to send their best to pursue it. "Hello, Freyr. It is good to speak to you again." Vreta greeted her, keeping an openly friendly tone. "I can come to you, if you feel I should. Though…I will admit, I still feel unnerved being in this place, after what happened. But yes, that is why I am here. I have been appointed as the Rothian liaison to the Human expedition members. I came to introduce myself to the Director, but it seems I took care of that a few months ago. It also seems that you are going to be getting the opportunity to visit my people's homeworld."</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr chuckled. "Yes. Who'd have thought it? Visiting Rothia was actually high on my to-do list before...well, everything." She peeled off her surgical gloves and put them into a bin attached to the portable surgery table. "No that's quite alright, you stay put. I'm just finishing up here and then my team and I will make our way to Port Angharad. Will you be joining us on the voyage, as our liaison and cultural guide?" Just then, the lights in the operating theatre flickered. Freyr and some of the other scientists peered up at the banks of lights on the ceiling, hands shielding their eyes from the intermittent glare. After a few moments, it stopped and the lights returned to normal. They all shared knowing looks. This usually meant one thing; and everyone remained motionless and waited for it. Suddenly, the floor underneath them began vibrating, and a deep rumbling groan emanated from all around them. The surgical table began moving about on its own, and some of the screens arrayed around the specimen rattled violently. The lights began flickering again, much faster this time. "Don't move!" Freyr commanded, holding her arms out for balance as the whole room vibrated. "Vreta, are you there?" She shouted over the din, but all she could hear back through comms was white noise. "Everybody get down!" A man shouted. Freyr turned and saw four CraSec guards bursting through the operating theatre doors. "Wait, stay where you a-" Freyr yelled, but it was too late. In the blink of an eye or a flash of the lights, the whole room changed. The clean white walls were suddenly covered in green-brown trunks, like that of a rotten tree. Vines flecked with faint purple veins covered most of the floor and ceiling. The lighting lost its sharp edge and changed in hue, becoming a much fainter orange glow. Shadows collected in the corners of the theatre and pooled on the floor. The vibrations appeared to stop, or at least subside temporarily. Three of the soldiers, driven by their directive to protect the high value asset at all costs, stopped at Freyr's command. But one of them carried on rushing forward. He shouted out as his left foot and ankle fell into a large gaping mouth with many teeth that'd just opened up in the floor before him. The mouth promptly snapped shut and Freyr heard a crunch of bones. The man fell awkwardly to the floor crying in pain, and vines began moving to wrap around his body. Freyr could hear bubbling, and through the gloom could see various mounds of organic material beginning to appear on the floor and in the corners. A rancid smell swept through the room. "Shoot them!" She pointed. The soldiers obliged, walking more carefully into the room and firing energy bursts at the small gurgling shapes.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori "That is my plan. Not every Rothian is so…accustomed to the differences between our people and yours, so we have always found it helpful to…" Vreta began answering to Freyr, but he was cut off by his communications, as well as many of the lights around him, going dark. His guards all raised their weapons, and Vreta himself drew his pistol. There were other Humans around them in the building, of course, but once they became able to see once more, it would be hard to say their defensive response was not justified. What appeared to be vines, plants, and other indistinct organic matter seemed to appear out of nowhere, covering the walls and floor. For a moment, the Rothians were silent and still, each of them scanning separate angles. Vreta had no information on what was happening, if it was a new development in the Cradle, or if it was somehow normal. However, one thing that was certain was that he was not going to wait around to investigate. "We are leaving. Stay close." Vreta announced in a calm, focused tone. They had not strayed far from the transit station, so it would not be a long walk back. Though, each and every step made Vreta more and more unnerved. The feel of vines touching the scales on the bottom of his feet seemed, ironically, unnatural given his surroundings. They all walked together in a tight formation, straight out the door they had entered through. Between each of the soldiers, they had full vision on their surroundings to avoid being caught off-guard. Even the floor itself Vreta did not trust, and he was watching it as if it were an enemy combatant.</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang The operating theatre was filled with a deafening staccato of gunfire as the CraSec soldiers fanned out into the room, targeting the pungent mounds of flesh growing all around the room. They created a loose perimeter around Freyr in particular, and for all the scientists to get lower to the floor, giving them a clear line of sight toward any hostiles. Freyr grabbed a scalpel from the surgical table. She ducked down onto her hands and knees and crawled over to the nearby wounded soldier. Vines had wrapped themselves around his midsection and neck; he was desperately pulling at the latter, the whites of his eyes clearly visible even in the gloom. Freyr scooted up next to him and began carefully sawing at the vines around his neck with her scalpel. After a few seconds of cutting, the vines gave way and the man drew a gasping, ragged breath. Freyr was about to begin cutting away the creepers around his chest when something at the door caught her eye. Facing them through the glass double doors leading to the gloomy corridor stood a man-sized creature. It was composed entirely of the same grungy flesh currently coating the walls and bubbling up through the floor. It had oversized arms with long, thin, organic but sharp looking spikes on the end. Freyr couldn't see any features on its face. With the flickering ceiling lights casting long shadows on it's form, the man-creature burst through the double doors, both of its arms out in front of it. Freyr fell onto her back and tried to scrabble backwards but vines caught her hands. "Look out!" She shrieked. One of the soldiers must have noticed, because energy bolts blew holes in the creature's chest. But it kept coming, jumping towards Freyr's prone form. The lights stopped flickering, and in another blink of an eye the regular operating theatre had returned. The vines, fleshy piles and rushing creatures were nowhere to be seen, except as an imprint on her eyelids when Freyr blinked. She collapsed back, her head resting on the cold floor as she caught her breath. The soldier with the mangled foot moaned loudly as the other soldiers called for medical help. "Vreta, are you still there?" Freyr called via their resumed comm connection, still laying on the floor for now.</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori The Rothians were slow and methodical when moving, but there was only so much they could do to spot danger when the ground itself was a threat. When Vreta made a step from the sidewalk into the street to cross, he at first thought that he had tripped over something, but it was a thorny vine that had gripped his ankle, pulling him to the ground. Still, even as he fell, he shouted out a warning to the others. "On me!" The soldiers were fast to react. All their squad leader needed to do was to shout a name, and that soldier immediately knelt down to assist while the rest provided cover. The vines tried to entangle and constrict Vreta, but the soldier's sharp, powerful claws ripped them up from the ground and allowed him to scramble to his feet. At the same time, the soldiers covering found themselves facing down unknown, and seemingly impossible beings rising up from the ground itself. That indistinct organic matter they had been passing by pooled almost like a liquid until it formed into a mostly humanoid, but otherwise featureless shapes. The squad leader had no reason to hesitate. "Open fire!" Their weapons might not have been as powerful as what they were accustomed to, but they were at least still effective against the adversaries in front of them. The shots melted through the organic bodies, blasting holes through them and even removing limbs. Each of the squad members covered a different angle to hold them back. They were ready to shift their focus if any of the soldiers called for aid, though given that they were surrounded, all of them had a job to do. "What's your status?" One of the Rothian soldiers asked as she helped Vreta to his feet, to which he answered quickly and clearly. "Just lacerations. I can walk. Move quick and get out of…" Vreta began, but in a quick flash of light, everything changed. In an instant, there were no vines covering the ground, nor organic monstrosities. The lights were bright, and the city around them was just…a city. Vreta's ankle still bled, but otherwise it was as if nothing had happened. "…here. We're still leaving." He commented. Vreta answered Freyr right away when she contacted him, though with his words far more hurried. "Yes, and I am leaving the Cradle. I suggest you do the same. I am going to go to the port you mentioned. I will likely spend the rest of my time at the ship until we leave."</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang "Understood, I'll see you there. Glad you're alright; at least now you're up to speed on how things are going." Freyr responded grimly, ending the call. She then entered the private comms sub-channel used by the Division's scientists that she'd picked for the expedition. "Hi everyone. I hope you've made your work ready for transit; I want to be set up in the ship labs this evening. I'm logging out now, if there are any questions, get me on comms. If not, I'll see you there in a few hours." Freyr had more than a bit of apprehension about going on this expedition. There could be no doubt that any evidence of the Cradle communicating with other planets in the galaxy had to be investigated. Nothing like this had happened before, certainly not in the few centuries Humanity had been on Outremer. But then again, the situation that was unfolding in the Cradle itself had never happened before either, and Freyr's family was still trapped in there somewhere. Freyr could feel it. However, she ultimately decided to go with her gut and hope this new lead led somewhere. Freyr logged out of the Cradle and checked the big bag of belongings that Demeter had packed for her. Everything seemed to be in order there; she projected she'd be wearing her work clothes for the majority of the trip anyway. Freyr also checked her implants and data pad were updated with her latest notes, so she could manage the division from anywhere with a comms relay. With everything confirmed, Freyr took one last look around her apartment before heading for the roof pad. Her driver (one of the perks of being Division head) greeted her warmly, loaded her luggage into the back of the flyer and promptly set off for Port Angharad. The media circus outside Freyr's building had long since died down, meaning she had grown used to not wearing the headband which muffled her facial features. However, some of the more resilient outlets had stationed drones high above the buildings. They tracked Freyr's flyer leaving, and took off in pursuit.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori The return from the Cradle was as much of a relief this time as it had been after the event months ago. During the time spent waiting and advising from a distance, he had almost forgotten how much he hated that damned place, but it seemed that the Cradle had saw fit to remind him of that fact. Truly, he wanted to avoid entering it at any cost, by this point. While he had been given soldiers to escort him in the Cradle, he would not be keeping a full armed guard for his entire stay with the Humans. The context of his assignment to their team made a repeat of the last incident quite unlikely. Nevertheless, he had improved his capability to defend himself. He would be wearing a shield unit at all times, and as soon as he had boarded the Rothian dropship awaiting him at the embassy, he was able to arm himself with a proper Rothian sidearm. The flight into orbit was a short one, and unlike the other times he had went to and from Outremer, his transfer through customs was also a quick and efficient affair. Given that he was associated with an expedition of great importance to Outremer's government, his ship was also tagged with the appropriate priority. The orbital dockyards his dropship approached were massive, military stations that serviced equally massive warships. Other, smaller patrol vessels constantly meandered between larger battleships, carriers, and orbital defense platforms. Outremer was among the most well-defended planets that Humanity possessed, and they made sure to show that fact as clearly as possible.</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr checked the expedition manifest from her implant while the flyer jetted over Babylon. It showed that out of the nineteen other Division scientists she'd been allowed to bring on the expedition, five had already made it onto the OSC Barbarossa. This was the ship Freyr assumed would be taking them all the way to Rothia. A call sign appeared from Masgard Xandrus; Freyr initiated the call. "Hey, are you on your way Angharad?" Freyr had found out today that her lawyer was on the expedition as one of the official spokespeople. "Yeah, thought I'd get a headstart on setting up shop. You?" "I am, yes. Just had to wrap up a few things here. I should arrive at about the same time as you...I heard Vreta'Sori, our new Rothian liaison, visited you in the Cradle today, that right?" "He did. Just in time for a power surge - a big one." "Ah." "Yeah." "Let's talk later. I have a few calls to make." The rest of the journey passed by quickly. Freyr relayed a few instructions to her team in the Cradle and the scientists already set up on the Barbarossa. But mostly she stared out of the window, drinking in her adopted homeworld's dramatic scenery. From this high up, Freyr could see the ancient biosphere that surrounded Babylon curving down from a mile up to meet the ground in a near perfect circle. The field was almost transparent, apart from faint ripples that slowly moved across its surface like waves. Beyond that, Freyr could see Babylon's infamous Circle Desert. An incongruous ring of arid badlands in an otherwise fertile landscape, it stretched for miles all around the city. The exact cause of this permanent drought was unknown, but many scholars agreed it was likely something to do with the Cradle's physical form. Freyr had only seen it once; an enormous sphere coated in an unbreakable alloy. It floated in an enormous vault (built around it) at the heart of a cave system deep underneath Babylon. A previous alien civilisation, long gone now, had built an entire city around the Cradle, living underground to be closer to it. Freyr was confident that some radiation from the Cradle rendered the ground around it practically unlivable, apart from the area within the biosphere. Even though rain regularly fell on the Circle Desert, nothing would grow. "Approaching Port Angharad, ma'am." Her driver announced, stirring Freyr from her reverie. She looked down and saw the port was coming up fast in front of them. Every self-respecting citizen of Outremer knew Port Angharad was where the first settlers touched down, almost three hundred and fifty years ago. Freyr thought it must have seen better days. From above, it looked like quite a dirty, sprawling complex of terminals, auto-factories and ancient colonial administration buildings. Freyr supposed a lot of newer, more central spaceports had been built in the last few centuries, leaving Port Angharad as a government and military installation. The driver received the gate of Freyr's waiting shuttle from air traffic control, and took them in toward a low collection of landing pads. She could see Masgard waiting outside his own flyer in the parking area as they touched down. "Welcome to Port Angharad!" He called to her as she stepped out of the car. "Beautiful, isn't it?"</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Fortunately for Vreta, the bridge was not terribly far from the labs, so he did not have to wait too long for Freyr to arrive from her short meeting with the captain. He did have at least some interest in watching the Humans at work, if only to better familiarize himself with their methods, as well as the capabilities of their machines. He was, after all, going to be working to facilitate cooperation between them and his own people. In his honest opinion, it could be difficult to reconcile the differences in their methods, but he could at least try to set the proper expectations for both sides. "Of course, it is good to see you both again." Vreta replied with a friendly smile before readily following Freyr towards the office. It was a fairly small room, and like much of the rest of the ship, the air was just a bit cooler than he would prefer. Being that he was the only Rothian on board, though, he did not expect anything but his own room to accommodate his preferences. At least, he expected that his room would match the preferences of Rothians. He had not actually been to it yet. In any case, Vreta began right away as soon as they were in the room. "Here's hoping our conversation is not interrupted by mortal peril this time. How have you been, since we last spoke? Before today, I mean. I myself have been…somewhat relaxed back on Rothia. I decided it was time for me to retire from my corporate life. I considered retiring entirely for a century or two, but then the Rothian government came to me, specifically, with an offer for this position. I guess my experience made me a perfect fit, and as much as I have come to despise the Cradle, I suppose I can admit some curiosity towards understanding it."</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang The corner office was small and boxy. But it did have Freyr's name on the door, a desk with a small bottle of Angjuskian Scotch wrapped in ribbon atop it, and views of the entire lab through plate glass windows. She was pleased to see the office was soundproofed; when Masgard closed the door behind them the noise of rapid assembly outside lowered significantly. "Ahh, the good stuff. Complements of the captain; very nice. I don't drink Scotch, myself. Do you?" Freyr studied the label before placing the bottle back down on the desk. She sat down and ran her fingers through her hair. It'd been another really long day. "Well, i'm sorry you've been dragged back into this." Freyr chuckled humourlessly upon hearing what Vreta had been up to. "I've been working nonstop, to tell you the truth." She continued. "Masgard, what can i say?" "We have an operational partnership with the Rothians, so whatever you think will be useful to the mission." Freyr nodded gratefully. "Then i can tell you that things are bad. We're making good progress in developing weapons and structures that can combat the Cradle's creatures. But so far we haven't been able to stop this gradual encroachment on the occupied zone. The Border is currently consuming about 1% of the occupied zone per week. There are signs that may increase, too." On a whim, Freyr grabbed the bottle of Scotch and opened it, taking a sniff. "It's hard to predict what we'll find on Rothia, if anything. But my hope is it's something we can use to communicate properly with the Cradle. Negotiate peace with it; if it's capable of rational thought." Freyr took a small sip from the bottle, and wrinkled her nose immediately. "Eurgh, that is strong." She offered the bottle to Masgard, who took a gulp and seemed to quite like it. He offered it to Vreta.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta took the bottle in hand and gave it a quick sniff. The strong scent of alcohol was familiar. Even being alien to him as it was, ethanol was a fairly common compound on worlds with life, and it affected many living creatures in the same ways. Regardless, he cautiously took a drink, if only because he was not sure about the taste, but he was not disappointed. "I shall be honest with you, many of the scientists I spoke to on Rothia are not confident that we will find anything at all." Vreta said, placing down the bottle on the desk in the middle of the three of them. "Since we learned about this, we have scanned our whole planet a few times over and found nothing unusual. Though, it is our understanding that you have specific coordinates for us to search. Once we have those, hopefully we will be able to find something." Vreta took a moment to think on the situation Freyr had described in the Cradle. The Rothians had strongly suspected that the situation was not under control, but now he was getting confirmation of it, with concrete numbers. And certainly, this news was not encouraging. "The gravity of your situation may be lost on some of the other Rothian members of the team, but I know how connected Outremer has become to the Cradle. I know that your planet cannot just…stop using it, as some might suggest. It's a problem we have to solve, not one we can just give up on if things do not go our way.I do hope we can find that solution, if not on Rothia, then with the combined efforts of our scientists when we come to Outremer. Our technology is similarly advanced to that of the Cradle, so, and I mean no offense with this statement, our scientists may be better able to understand its intricacies. I am not disparaging your species, I mean only that our scientists will have hundreds more years of technological and scientific advancement to draw upon."</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr shared a quick glance with Masgard while Vreta was just finishing his piece. He gave her an ...ok look before reaching for the bottle of scotch again. Freyr absently opened the top left drawer on her new desk, and was rewarded with the sight of four durable Navy tumblers tucked away in there. She quickly pulled three out and slid them across the metal desk toward the bottle and Masgard's outstretched hand. "I mean, it is the weekend. And we've had something of a day." Freyr explained to Masgard, her hands raised at her sides while she nodded to Vreta. Her lawyer grinned guardedly, his head tilted downward as he poured a double measure in each glass. "I hope you are able to figure the Cradle out." Freyr replied solemnly as she got her glass back, filled now, from Masgard. "Because, there is a distinct possibility we're travelling all this way for nothing. But on the off-chance we do find something, it could change our relationship with the Cradle forever. Our saving grace, if we don't find anything, is that we'll still be able to work on the Cradle problem from our new lab. We can call it a very expensive cultural exchange mission." She took a drink from her newly charged glass, and recoiled at the intense mix of flavours. "So, what would you say we need to keep in mind for our interactions with Rothia in general?" Freyr asked when she had recovered.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta did not respond immediately, instead taking a drink from the glass he was given as he collected his thoughts. Even for a larger being like himself, who was accustomed to somewhat stronger spirits, he still showed a strong reaction to the scotch. Still, he did not remain distracted for long. "If I am being honest, there will be some hurdles to overcome if we are to make this a truly cooperative venture. And many of those will come from my people. As I mentioned, the Rothians have centuries of scientific advancement ahead of Humanity. There is a perception among my people that Humanity, and indeed many other species we have met in this galaxy, are a 'young' species." There was another pause for another drink from Vreta. He knew he was approaching a delicate subject, and so he needed to be careful in how he approached it. He expected that Rothian scientists would be doing the heavy lifting in terms of their research, but he certainly wanted to avoid any more tension than necessary, and if the Human teams could legitimately help, that would be all the better. "I would say to try to imagine what it would be like to work with a scientist from hundreds of years ago in your own past. Say, a scientist from before your species left your home solar system. If your people are anything like mine, you have probably improved your understanding of science considerably in that time, and that scientist would be operating on theories and assumptions you know to be incorrect. I expect that some Rothian scientists may feel frustrated about this, and they may feel that they are going to have to spend much of their time just 'catching you up'. I hope to prevent that issue. I know that your people are capable, and I think that your years of experience with the Cradle will be valuable. Going back to that analogy of working with a scientist from your past, how do you think you would go about working with them?"</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr frowned and cleared her throat, invoking a surprisingly pleasant aftertaste from the scotch. She leaned forward slightly, cradling her tumbler in both hands, and smiled sweetly at Vreta. "By the end of today, there'll be twenty of the foremost minds on the Cradle aboard this ship. I'm privileged to lead them. Between us, we have about four hundred and fifty years of hands-on experience with a machine intelligence that's almost certainly older than both our civilisations. The rest of my division is just a conference call away; at least another six hundred years of experience to apply to this problem. If anyone is going to be 'catching up', it is your team." Freyr leaned back and took another sip of her scotch, arms resting lightly on the arms of her seat. Masgard gave her an approving look from where he leaned against the plate glass window. "Your improved understanding of the natural world will come in useful, for sure. It may be that working around the Cradle may yield some kind of breakthrough. But let's be clear - while the Cradle environment shares similarities with the outside world, it's also infinitely more complex. We underestimated it before, and it took my family. I'm determined not to underestimate it again. We should prepare for all possible outcomes to this expedition. What kind of resources do we have at our disposal while on Rothia?"</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr discreetly checked her watch as Vreta spoke; the evening was drawing steadily on. She noticed through the glass windows of her office that half a dozen more people on her team had just arrived in the lab, luggage in hand. Some of the people already working in the lab rushed over to greet them. She should probably address the team soon. "Well, a full debrief would require data visualisations that i haven't prepared for Rothian consumption yet. But you've already seen first-hand what the Cradle is. It's a practically infinite virtual landscape, with varying geography just like in the real world. As we all know, it's not a particularly welcoming environment, but nonetheless we've cultivated and occupied an area of the Cradle's surface for many years. We're able to tap into the Cradle's processing power, and use it to power all kinds of things in the real world." Freyr took a last gulp of her drink and placed the tumbler gently back on the desk. "What you may not know much about is the physical form of the Cradle complex." She cleared her throat again; the scotch sediment was irritating her mouth. Communicating with the lab's database via her comms implant, Freyr pulled up an archive photo of the Sphere and projected it in 3D above the middle of the desk. "It's buried deep beneath Babylon. We think there is organic and synthetic material inside, but it's almost impossible to pin down. The Sphere distorts all our scanners and the exterior alloy is practically indestructible. Even if we were able to get inside, with everything that depends on the Cradle...It'd be like conducting brain surgery in the dark." Freyr leaned back and massaged the bridge of her nose. The scotch was making her sleepy, which was probably a good thing as she hadn't properly rested in days. "That creature pinging a precise spot may have just been a mistake. But you can't help but wonder if there are more of these objects floating about."</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori It was easy to see that Vreta showed a great deal of interest in the object that Freyr projected above her desk. He initially leaned in to get a closer look, though disappointingly, there was little to learn from the model other than the fact that the object was a sphere. Certainly, there were no obvious notable features, and based on what Freyr was saying, they did not know much more about its interior. "Now this…is something we did not know. What is the scale of this thing?" He asked, though it was more of a rhetorical question as he checked and converted the units listed in the projection a moment later. "Our scans did not detect anything nearly like this on our planet, though you did say it disrupts scanners…in what way exactly? Or do you have any way of knowing? And how certain are you of the presence of organic material within? If the exterior is indestructible to you, then I can assume you have not sampled it, so that idea must have come from scans. Can you be confident that it is truly there, or could those results be the product of the interference? I know you have not broken through it, but have you performed any material analyses of the exterior alloy?" Eventually, Vreta forced himself to stop. He had asked her plenty of questions, with plenty of enthusiasm, but he did realize that it would be prudent to allow her to actually answer them.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang "Fifty two metres in diameter." Freyr answered as she saw Vreta working it out. "It floats, we don't know quite how, and it's completely impossible to move. Believe me, we've tried. Which means that for all intents and purposes, the Sphere is weightless." She stared up at the hologram above her desk, taking in the object's featureless, off-white exterior. "We think it actively counters all signals we fire at it, like some kind of defence mechanism. I believe the only way the hypothesis about organic matter came about was by analysing the signals that leak out of it every decade or so. They're so faint that you'd miss them unless you monitor the Sphere all hours of the day like we do. But they're rich with incomprehensible data when we unpack them. I used to think the team in the Vault were overly dramatic for describing the signals as 'wails in the night', but now with everything else I've seen, I'm not so sure…" "Freyr, the rest of your team just showed up. " Masgard jumped in while Freyr was mulling over the next of Vreta's questions. He was looking over his shoulder at her from where he stood at the window. "Ah, great. I should address them." Freyr looked back at Vreta. "How do you want to do this? Do you want me to introduce you now, and give you a chance to explain your role in the team?"</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta appeared more and more focused the more Freyr described the object. He could understand the reasons why the Humans had yet been unable to discover the mysteries contained within the object's shell, especially considering how important its continued functioning was to them. They could not risk damaging it, though ideas were coming to mind about how they could learn more even with all of those restrictions. "Let's see…weightless it might be, but that would not remove the object's mass. An analysis of the local variances in gravitational forces, compared to the natural gravitational field produced by the planet around it, could allow us to calculate the average mass of the object as a whole. The gravitational field would be affected if it is being suspended in place by artificial gravitational fields, but we my people can easily detect artificial gravitational fields, and we should still be able to work backwards to find the object's average mass. A material analysis of the outer shell could at least reveal the alloy's density. With that, and the average mass of the total object, it would be a simple matter to calculate the upper and lower bounds of the shell's thickness. And if we were to take very granular observations of gravitational fields at different distances from the shell, maybe…" Vreta's train of thought was interrupted when Freyr addressed him directly. He had his neural implant keep a note of his ideas so far, then nodded to Freyr. "Oh, yes. As the leader of your team, it would probably be best for you to introduce me."</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang "Come then; we can pick this back up later." Freyr got up and led the way out of her office. The cacophonous racket from the builder drones had subsided now. Just a couple remained now with Human technicians to make the finishing touches to their new lab. At a glance, Freyr could see many of the main pieces she'd asked for. The captain had done very nicely in the short time available. Freyr traversed one of the primary walkways around the edge of the lab from her office to the exit, Vreta and Masgard in tow. She could see a few of her team had already got stuck into the equipment, hooking up data pads and continuing as normal. However, the majority of the new arrivals had congregated in a break-out area with sofas and potted plants. So she called out to attract everyone's attention. "Good evening, everyone! Welcome to the OSC Barbarossa. Could i please speak with you all over here please?" The scientists in the lab area obediently dropped what they were doing and made their way over. Freyr waited until everyone was in front of her before speaking, standing in the walkway with Vreta and Masgard at her sides. She smiled. "It's good to see you all in person for a change. I trust you made it here without incident?" A few people nodded their heads, but most were just waiting patiently for what she had to say. A few eyed up the tall lizard alien next to her. "We're about to embark on a two week journey to Rothia, to follow up a lead on a potential exo-Cradle object. I know some of you have family at home, so I thank you from the bottom of my heart for making this sacrifice. I wouldn't have asked you if it wasn't vitally important to the whole of Outremer." Freyr's throat was bone dry after the scotch, so she gulped to try and moisten it. Most of the scientists had figured out this was going to be an extended trip, space voyages often were, but none of them would've known their destination until now. "To help prepare us for our time on Rothia, we have Vreta'Sori with us. He's going to coach us on Rothian culture, capabilities and overall condition over the next two weeks. Once we're on Rothia, he will be our primary liaison with our Rothian co-researchers. Any questions so far?" One of the more junior scientists piped up immediately. "Does that mean we're supposed to share our research with the Rothians?" Masgard's hand quickly touched Freyr's arm, prompting her to stop with her mouth half-open as he answered. "Right this moment, that won't be necessary. But once we know what we're up against, we're to collaborate with the Rothians on any details that may be pertinent to the potential...exo-object." Freyr nodded quickly and turned to Vreta. "Vreta'Sori, would you like to say a few words?"</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta appeared more and more focused the more Freyr described the object. He could understand the reasons why the Humans had yet been unable to discover the mysteries contained within the object's shell, especially considering how important its continued functioning was to them. They could not risk damaging it, though ideas were coming to mind about how they could learn more even with all of those restrictions. "Let's see…weightless it might be, but that would not remove the object's mass. An analysis of the local variances in gravitational forces, compared to the natural gravitational field produced by the planet around it, could allow us to calculate the average mass of the object as a whole. The gravitational field would be affected if it is being suspended in place by artificial gravitational fields, but we my people can easily detect artificial gravitational fields, and we should still be able to work backwards to find the object's average mass. A material analysis of the outer shell could at least reveal the alloy's density. With that, and the average mass of the total object, it would be a simple matter to calculate the upper and lower bounds of the shell's thickness. And if we were to take very granular observations of gravitational fields at different distances from the shell, maybe…" Vreta's train of thought was interrupted when Freyr addressed him directly. He had his neural implant keep a note of his ideas so far, then nodded to Freyr. "Oh, yes. As the leader of your team, it would probably be best for you to introduce me."</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang "Come then; we can pick this back up later." Freyr got up and led the way out of her office. The cacophonous racket from the builder drones had subsided now. Just a couple remained now with Human technicians to make the finishing touches to their new lab. At a glance, Freyr could see many of the main pieces she'd asked for. The captain had done very nicely in the short time available. Freyr traversed one of the primary walkways around the edge of the lab from her office to the exit, Vreta and Masgard in tow. She could see a few of her team had already got stuck into the equipment, hooking up data pads and continuing as normal. However, the majority of the new arrivals had congregated in a break-out area with sofas and potted plants. So she called out to attract everyone's attention. "Good evening, everyone! Welcome to the OSC Barbarossa. Could i please speak with you all over here please?" The scientists in the lab area obediently dropped what they were doing and made their way over. Freyr waited until everyone was in front of her before speaking, standing in the walkway with Vreta and Masgard at her sides. She smiled. "It's good to see you all in person for a change. I trust you made it here without incident?" A few people nodded their heads, but most were just waiting patiently for what she had to say. A few eyed up the tall lizard alien next to her. "We're about to embark on a two week journey to Rothia, to follow up a lead on a potential exo-Cradle object. I know some of you have family at home, so I thank you from the bottom of my heart for making this sacrifice. I wouldn't have asked you if it wasn't vitally important to the whole of Outremer." Freyr's throat was bone dry after the scotch, so she gulped to try and moisten it. Most of the scientists had figured out this was going to be an extended trip, space voyages often were, but none of them would've known their destination until now. "To help prepare us for our time on Rothia, we have Vreta'Sori with us. He's going to coach us on Rothian culture, capabilities and overall condition over the next two weeks. Once we're on Rothia, he will be our primary liaison with our Rothian co-researchers. Any questions so far?" One of the more junior scientists piped up immediately. "Does that mean we're supposed to share our research with the Rothians?" Masgard's hand quickly touched Freyr's arm, prompting her to stop with her mouth half-open as he answered. "Right this moment, that won't be necessary. But once we know what we're up against, we're to collaborate with the Rothians on any details that may be pertinent to the potential...exo-object." Freyr nodded quickly and turned to Vreta. "Vreta'Sori, would you like to say a few words?"</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori The Humans did seem to be making impressive progress on assembling their lab. Although it would not help them arrive on Rothia any sooner, it did seem that the scientists did not want to waste any of the time they had. That was something Vreta could appreciate, though he supposed it should not have been surprising. The Humans obviously did not want to let on to the full severity of the situation, but this deal they had made spoke to the desperate situation they were in. He doubted they had many more leads than to follow the threat of what that creature had lead them to. And if this was a desperate bid to save their planet, Vreta supposed he should be sure to approach the situation with the appropriate gravity. Vreta had not had much time to prepare to speak, but he could adapt. With a glance and a nod down towards Freyr, Vreta quickly addressed the scientists. "I know that…many of you did not necessarily want to send yourselves to a world alien to you in a time like this. Outremer is the home you are trying to protect, and I do respect that. I will do what I can to make this transition painless. Rothia is a very different place from your home, I will say that, but as the heart of my people's civilization, it is also a safe place. We will provide all of the experts and resources we can to help solve this problem your world is facing. With our combined efforts, I am confident we will be able to return your world to a state of peace and stability. I will be distributing informative guides on the primary differences you should expect from Rothia, but if you have any questions for me, any of you may feel free to ask."</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang All of the scientists watched Vreta intently as he spoke, but none spoke out with any immediate questions. Freyr thought they looked tired, just like her. After a pregnant pause, she jumped back in. "Thank you, Vreta'Sori. Now, I'd imagine you all want to find your new quarters and unpack your luggage. As a matter of fact, i'd quite like to know where we're staying too…" Freyr looked behind her at the lab. Just two technicians were left, fixing a wall divider/storage unit. "Excuse me?" Freyr called to them. They didn't respond, so she tried a bit louder. They both looked up. "Where are our quarters?" The standing one pointed over his shoulder, to another set of blast doors on the other side of the lab. "If you have a comms implant , the ship should feed you a map, ma'am." One of them offered helpfully. Freyr thanked them and turned back to her team. "Let's get settled in and start fresh in the morning. Thank you all." The scientists began drifting off toward the blast doors with their luggage in hand. A sudden hunger pang in Freyr's stomach reminded her that she'd hardly eaten today. "Have they shown you your quarters yet? I'd quite like to find some food." She asked Vreta, pulling up a map of the ship using her new clearance code to look for the nearest dispensary. "It seems our dorms have hot food and a dining area. Masgard?" Her lawyer shrugged. "I'm exhausted, but i suppose i could eat." Freyr grinned sleepily. "That's the spirit! Vreta?"</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori There had not been much for Vreta to say as of yet. Even if there had been, he could read the room enough to realize that it was not the best time to put the scientists through a cultural crash course. That could wait until their journey had commenced. Until then, he supposed there was no harm in winding down for the day, and he did agree with Freyr that some dinner was long overdue. If nothing else, Vreta wanted to try and relax to put the mental images of those Cradle creatures out of his mind. He was going to have nightmares about getting dragged into the ground by those thorny vines. "I haven't seen my quarters yet, though I do have a map to their location. But yes, I would certainly like something to eat. I skipped lunch, after that whole event in the Cradle." Vreta answered. --- Despite the size of the ship, its transit system did make traversing the vessel as quick and efficient as possible. Though, in any case, the civilian modules, like the lab, their quarters, and dining area, had all been placed in proximity to one another for convenience. That, and separating out the military and civilian components of the crew did tend to be better for both parties, or at least that was Vreta's perspective. Among Rothians, there could be quite a disconnect between the lives of civilians and those in military service. In any case, as the dining area was intended for the civilian personnel, it was not quite so utilitarian as Vreta would expect from Human militaries. Again, the air was a bit cool for his tastes, but that would be true across the majority of the ship. He was pleased to see plenty of seating that looked like it could be comfortable, even for him, as well as a varied menu when he went to choose his dinner from the dispensary. Granted, a carnivore's idea of variety was in the number of different meats available, and Vreta ended up with steak, chicken wings, and a salmon fillet on his plate, along with a glass of red wine. "Your military seems to be treating you and your fellow researchers well on this voyage. Is that a common treatment for you, or is this a special case?" Vreta asked.</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr came to the long table with benches on either side holding a colourful chicken salad and a glass of water. She was feeling quite dehydrated following the scotch and didn't feel like drinking any more alcohol tonight. It was important they slept well and had a productive day tomorrow. They were in a spacious dining area adjoining the auto-dispensary and a kitchen area, in case the team were feeling the urge to cook for themselves. Three corridors split from this common room, leading to small but comfortable bedrooms for each of the team. Freyr sat down facing Vreta across the table. Masgard sat down next to him. "I must admit, my work has not often taken me away from Outremer, so I don't know." Freyr said, tucking into her salad with a fork. "The facilities are pretty good though, so far. I guess they want us at peak performance." She could see Masgard had chosen a lot of different meats, like Vreta, and paired it with a bowl of Tullusk, a soup known for its calming qualities. "Am I right in thinking the facilities on Rothian worlds are all of a pretty high standard?" He asked as he demolished his food like he hadn't eaten in weeks.</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang "Yes, to give us options we've queued up a Hunter Gatherer. It doesn't induct via the harness like yours will; it instead relies on the object taking the bait and responding to a handshake from outside. It will then hopefully find a way in and begin reproducing." Freyr stopped herself from explaining all the intricacies of the program and looked at her team. "Are we in position?" She got a unanimous nod in return. She looked back at the Rothians. "Let's begin." --- "Nothing, it's not taking the bait." Freyr sighed, taking her glasses off again and rubbing her eyes. She was leaning in to study one of the holographic displays on the conference table. "Did you regain a connection?" She asked across the table to Nirann for the third time. "What about if we try to pull what we can back out again and retrieve the data that way?" People were beginning to shuffle uncomfortably where they stood or sat. This operation with the programs had been dragging on for nearly two hours, and there was very little either team could do once they were deployed. That is, apart from watching and waiting.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Marae shrugged and turned her head towards Nirann. "Do you have anything, Nir?" "Nothing tangible, other than that initial telemetry." Nirann answered. "I've been collecting and analyzing every bit of the data stream coming from that object, checking for patterns, any way it could have been encrypted or corrupted, but…this is a process that deals with the data stream of an entire living mind. That's a mountain jumbled up data in a programming language I haven't seen before. Before I can even think of trying to interpret the raw data stream, I need to solve this language issue. Now, I'm good, but it will still take me time to work miracles." Marae tilted her head and crossed her arms skeptically. "It's just a language translation. I could understand the delay if you were restricted to just this ship's computer, but you have the Core at your disposal. With that kind of power, you should have the translation nearly done by this point." Nirann suddenly appeared beside Marae's chair, just to start pacing around it. "Correction, I have access to the partition of the Core allocated to this expedition. And, as much as I hate to admit it, I can see why the Humans have had trouble with this one. This language is…weird." Marae narrowed her eyes. "What sort of 'weird'?" "Weird…weird." He answered. Marae sighed and rolled her eyes. "Very helpful. But I know you have access to more of the Core than that. Just allocate more." By this point, Nirann was pacing back and forth around the entire table. "You know I have to get approval for that…" Before the pair's bickering could continue any longer, Rareth'Jharn made a quick connection with the outside network and, with just a few thoughts, made a decision to help move things along. "I've sent back my approval, with my authorization code. Make the allocation request and you'll have as much of the Core as you need. Within reason." The expression on Nirann's face could, perhaps, best be described as "giddy." He clasped his hands together with a wide grin. "Ah, now that's what I'm talking about. I can practically taste that sweet, sweet processing power. I'll see what miracles I can work while you deal with this." It was difficult to tell if Marae was legitimately frustrated, but nevertheless, her attention was soon back on Freyr. "As for your question Dr. Lang, yes, I think that's about the only step we have left with this experiment. We know that there is a simulation in there for the programs to observe, at least. It might just be that there's something interfering with the return transmission. If that's the case, our program does store a copy of all its observations in its internal memory, so hopefully we will be able to see its findings when we pull it out."</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 "Wait a second. Let me see that, please!" Freyr interjected, hand outstretched just when Nirann made to disappear again. Using one hand, she moved aside constellations of data points like she was searching for a puzzle piece within a vast stack. With her other, she placed her overlay glasses back on her nose. The throbbing notification in the periphery of her vision subsided. Eventually, Freyr found what she was looking for. A dizzying pattern of symbols that her glasses instantly drew connecting lines between and created a hologram for the rest of the group to see. "This sequence contains the co-ordinates we found in Vreta'Sori's DNA. The set that led us to find this object. Your program must have picked it up inside somewhere." Freyr scratched the top of her shoulder through the open neck of her environment suit. "What are you saying?" 595 asked, standing next to her. "I don't know, yet. Can we see any patterns between any of the data surrounding this sequence that may correspond to Rothian genetic makeup? See if we can isolate a life form." Freyr asked, fairly openly to the group.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori "A genetic sequence from within the simulation, but…why?" Marae remarked, briefly showing a perplexed expression as she observed the hologram. Nirann reappeared next to Marae and shrugged. "Could just be noise in the transmission from our program. I did wrap it in an artificial impression of a Rothian mind, and a very realistic one, if I do say so myself." "But…it might not be." Another of the Rothian scientists chimed in. He was a xenoarcheologist named Artek'Qin. His scales had perhaps some of the most elaborate decoration of any Rothian the Humans had seen since their arrival. Much like Marae, he had black detailing on a backdrop of white scales, but his patterns were a mosaic of symbolically-represented scenes from Rothian history in an ancient artistic style. He called attention, for those gathered, of the sequences Freyr had mentioned, as well as others from the Cradle's language. "Maybe there is something more to this…genetic connection? Whatever species created the Cradle, this object, and however many others are scattered across the galaxy, they clearly had a far reach. They may have even influenced the development of our species, and others." Marae looked on somewhat disapprovingly. "Now let's avoid jumping to hasty conclusions. We have hardly confirmed that the interaction went to such an extent as…" Artek held up his hands and shook his head. "I know, I know, just hear me out. Whatever the nature of our interactions, this species was still clearly spread out far beyond just one planet. If the evidence is as it seems, then this species was directly meddling with lifeforms. What if this Cradle language follows that connection with life? What if this is a DNA-based language? For a species that may have interacted with many other forms of life, what better a basis for a language than the language of life itself? There could be patterns we are not seeing, hidden among the existing patterns of life. Proteins as letters or ideas, epigenetic markers as accents or punctuation. There are possibilities I do not think we have begun to approach." Nirann appeared in a chair so he could lean back and stroke his chin. "I…don't think I can rule that out. Normal genetic patterns could be hiding deeper ones. I'll have to write up a custom algorithm to try and filter unrelated patterns, but…I could give it a go. Maybe give it a few trillion iterations in the Core and see what pops up? Oh, and Artek, don't think I missed that little implication. I do take offense to it." "You can try it, but don't get too sidetracked. Dr. Lang may be right as well. Even if you are right about this language, there could be one or more digital lifeforms within the simulation. Dedicate a subroutine to that task as well." Marae commented.</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang "Very interesting...i don't think we've fully considered that yet." Freyr ruminated on what the monochrome Rothian had said about a DNA-based language. She turned back to her team, who had gathered around three consoles in the bank behind her. "Pull up the files on all the Cradle specimens we captured." She turned back to Marae. "Yank the program for me, please. I want to see what data we have." --- "There's hundreds more of them." Freyr murmured in wonderment. Her overlay glasses were pulling out dozens of iterations of the same coordinates from the wreckage of the probe they'd yanked. She was very impressed that they'd collected this much, which she supposed was mostly down to the advanced Rothian tech. But what did it all mean? Freyr took a deep breath through her nose, massaging her bottom lip with two fingers. Her back was starting to hurt, so she stood up straight again. "Freyr, you need to look at this." Dr Wetherall pushed in next to her at the conference table and splayed a mess of holo-pads out. "I tried to match up some of the information connected to the coords we pulled from the probe with the sample we took from Mr Sori. There are lots of slight changes, but i can see correlation too." Freyr held two holopads up, one in each hand. To her trained eye, one hand contained an atomic portrait of a Rothian. The other contained a fuzzy, indistinct, sinister looking cousin. "Do you think…?" Dr Wetherall asked, blinking at her. "Fuck, has it been staring us in the face this whole time?" Freyr asked back, staring off into the distance for a moment, lost in thought. Then, she slid the two holo pads across the table to Marae. "We know that the Cradle captures and recreates things from outside the simulation. We also know it's highly likely that this object had something to do with the patterns in Rothian DNA. But how did those patterns get there? We don't know of any power these objects have to change genetics on the outside, but inside their domain? It's plausible. And I think my astute deputy may have found the origin stock."</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 Well...the water probably won't kill us.." Dr Wetherall concluded, peering at his suit's readouts from the water experiment. "At least not right away. It's chock full of microorganisms and minerals, but nothing innately poisonous to Humans or Rothians." He sent the results to Ngata's suit, who stooped over his left arm's holo-readout to see for himself. "Perhaps i will have that swim, after all." 595 smirked. "Maybe they'll have some bathing suits where we're headed." "Focus up." Thebes ordered, the sight of his energy rifle scanning the land, water and cliffs in front of them.The trees rustled, as if whispering to one another. They advanced in an uneasy silence for a few minutes, keeping an even distance between the water's edge and the cliff faces around the basin's border. It wasn't until they'd made it halfway round the lake in peace that a loud flap and an animalistic scream disturbed the uneasy quiet. Acting on impulse 595 turned, locked her legs, pulled her pistol out and fired up at the object she found barrelling toward them. Several others from the team fired as well. A bundle of leathery wings fell from the sky. 595 stepped in front of Dr Wetherall, shooting at the object a couple more times as it rapidly approached them. However she didn't get to see the results of her handiwork. Almost too fast for the eye to see, one of the nearby trees exploded into action, snatching the creature out of the air as it lost altitude. The fibrous tendrils of the tree engulfed it entirely, until something crunched loudly. The tree trunk then rocked back and forth, and the boughs ejected the crippled creature straight into the cold dark of the lake with a splash. The water quickly submerged the ailing creature; it squealed as it was sucked down under the surface.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori While Rareth could have fired sooner, she had taken those few extra moments to try and assess how much of a threat the creature really was. Still, she could not entirely fault the agent for firing. Everything about its body language and movement did suggest aggressive intent. It was strange that it would try to attack such a large group, but then again, as a flying creature, perhaps it just hoped to pick one of them off. In any case, it was not the flyer that was revealed to be the greatest source of worry. The trees around them, it seemed, were more than just stationary plants. In retrospect, Rareth perhaps should have been suspicious of them. Bioluminescence could be used to lure or dazzle prey. Though, she was not sure if the trees were predatory, exactly. The tree had not consumed the flyer, but rather attacked and tossed it away. It may have been more of a defense mechanism, in which case the lights were probably warnings. "Move carefully and keep away from the trees." Rareth said calmly. She was glad they had taken the less dense pathway. "We do not know what will set them off, so just try not to agitate them."</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 "Why did you do that?" Dr Ngata complained, looking at the agent as she holstered her pistol. "I was watching it, and that creature wasn't going to attack us; believe me. If anything, it was trying to-" 595 quickly rounded on the scientist, cutting him off. "Let's get one thing straight, ok? If you see something, ANYTHING, moving in the area, you let the rest of us know. Not after you've had a chance to study it, not once you've added it to your codex, right-a-fucking-way. All our lives depend on it. You got that?" "I'm trying to help us all out, you crazy bitch! Analysing the fauna before you shoot the fuck out of it will give clues as to what other kinds of organisms might live here!" Dr Ngata shot back, violently poking the agent's breastplate with one suited finger. "Or would you rather we all traipse around here with our thumbs in our asses and no idea which way is up?" 595 slapped the man's finger away from her. "Don't give me that; It's our job to keep you safe! And in a place like this, we can only do that by assuming everything is hostile until proven otherwise. And now we need to add the trees to that list too!" "Umm, guys...what are these trees up to?" Dr Wetherall interrupted. 595 and Dr Ngata both looked at the other scientist. He was in between Carthage and Athena, with his back to both of them. They were all looking at one of the trees. A noticeable creaking, rustling sound hadn't stopped since the plant had grabbed that winged beast. Now, all of it's blue luminescent orbs had turned to face them. The branches weren't droopy anymore, but rigid and alert, like the tree was shocked to see them. Scanning the area, 595 noticed all the other trees were doing the same. "We need to move. Now!" Thebes barked. 595 drew her pistol again as they began jogging raggedly in formation. They only made it a few dozen steps, passing a couple more of the trees before all hell broke loose. Four trees, one on each point of the compass, all lunged forward as one. Their branches engulfed the team, grabbing at arms, heads, legs, weapons, everything. Comms erupted as everyone began shouting at once, and gunfire exploded in 595's ears. Right in front of her she saw two strong branches grab each of Dr Wetherall's ankles, pull him off his feet and drag him out of formation towards one of the trees. Carthage leapt forward and grabbed one of the scientist's hands as the branches pulled him off the floor and into the air. With her other hand, Carthage shot wildly up into the tree limbs. Another offshoot wrapped around 595's midriff and her suit's pressure alarm blared. She shot her pistol straight down through the branch as it dragged her backwards toward the water. Gouts of blue flame rushed past her face from Memnon's arm cannon, setting the tree behind her ablaze. A shrill squealing sound filled the whole basin, emanating from the tree as the orbs burst and from the lake. The grip around 595's waist lessened, but didn't give way. Dr Ngata wiggled free of the thin stem wrapped around his wrist and ran for the agent, diving to grab her feet and slow the drag down. "SHOOT IT!" He screamed at her. "I'm fucking trying! Grab the knife from my right thigh!" 595 shouted back, pumping energy into the bough around her body.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori In one, swift motion, Rareth moved her fusion cannon to her back while drawing a more appropriate weapon for the situation. Unfortunately, it seemed the trees themselves were the threat they had to face. The weapon Rareth decided to use was not one that she had carried with her, but rather, was one that was integrated into her own body. From the outside, one would see her armor on her left arm opening up, separating long-ways into three parts…along with her arm itself. It revealed that there was no bone, muscle, nor any other organic parts within the limb, as it was entirely mechanical. Inside her arm, along the length from her elbow to her hand, there were three energy projectors that pulsed with a bright orange glow. In an instant, a glowing, red-orange plasma blade extended forth from her arm. It was a long weapon that could reach the ground from a standing position, and was intense enough to burn through nearly anything it encountered. Especially for a being of her size, Rareth moved at a lightning pace. The trees too had reached their limbs for her, but her blade covered wide arcs around herself to cleave through the branches. Certainly, it was quicker to clear foliage with a blade than a rifle, so she had the chance to help some of the others quickly. Her priority was to help those that were not equipped to defend themselves, which to start was Dr. Wetherall. While Carthage was trying to pull him back, she came in at a sprint towards the scientist's feet and slashed at the branches to try and free him quickly. For Nirann, he had been at the most central point in the group, farthest from the trees, so he had been spared from the initial grasping branches of their floral attackers. Or, perhaps it was the fact that he was entirely mechanical that led the trees to favor his organic allies? In any case, he was able to carefully put down some of what he was carrying: at least the things he could pick up again quickly. His cargo was important, and he had to protect it, but being in a military security bot, he did have some means to help. He reached behind himself and drew from his back a compact energy carbine, which automatically unfolded once he removed it from its compartment. Agent 595 had been grabbed from nearby to himself and was being dragged towards the water, so Nirann engaged his frame's targeting software and started to take shots at the source of the branches grabbing her.</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Dr Wetherall fell out of the tree and clattered to the floor at Carthage' feet. She drew her knife and slashed at a few oncoming branches. Wary now, they stayed just out of reach, the blue orbs studying her and Rareth. Then, the entire tree lunged forward, swatting Rareth away and scooping up the slender Human soldier in its clutches. It rose back up to full height, creaked backwards, and shot Carthage out like a rock from a slingshot toward the lake. Just as she flew into the air, the charges she'd primed detonated inside the mess of tree branches, creating a massive fireball that cauterised the site. The entire valley seemed to reverberate with angry screams. Carthage gracefully sailed through the air, preparing to plunge feet first into the shallows of the lake. That is until a long, fleshy tentacle with the same pale colour as the trees burst from the depths and grabbed her. "Uh oh." She had time to say, before the tentacle vanished back into the water with her secured to the end of it. "Carthage, come in!" Thebes called, savagely slicing through razor-sharp vines in the middle of the ruckus. "Athena, secure Dr Wetherall! Knossos, help Dr Ngata! Rest of you, Focus fire on the trees! I'm going after her." He burst through the swirling mass of branches, some of them on fire, onto the 'beach' of the lake. As if to greet him, three more large tentacles emerged from the choppy water and rushed toward him. "Oh shit." He growled, diving to one side.</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori On her approach, Rareth focused every sensor available to her on the creature at the bottom of the lake. Any slight weakness she could identify could be important. Although, if Thebes was correct, the creature's central mass could be a weakness for the whole organism. "If it is controlling the trees, then we need only kill it to protect the others. If we get Carthage to safety, I will destroy it." Rareth did not truly swim, though she was still relatively swift through the water. She used her powerful legs to push across the bottom of the lake, moving straight towards the creature's maw without hesitation. The smaller tentacles along the lake bed lashed and grabbed at her, but Rareth did not miss a swing of her blade to cleave through anything that might slow her down. With her sonar, she did not need to look to know which were the closest to her, and which she needed to swing at next. For the smaller tentacles, they did not so much as even slow down her progress. Regardless, Carthage needed their help immediately, so Rareth attempted to assist from distance as well. Much like her other arm, Rareth's right arm opened up in four parts to reveal a new weapon. Rather than a sword, the energy projectors on the inside of the mechanical limb used electromagnetic fields to contain and direct particle beams at near the speed of light. It was similar in principle to a railgun, but instead fired streams of much smaller particles at much higher speeds. She fired a few bright violet beams from her particle cannon at the larger tentacles that were trying to pull Carthage in, hopefully to at least weaken them. One of the larger tentacles started to cut through the water towards Rareth, though she made no effort to dodge or try to get around it. Rather, she leaped forward off of the lake bed straight towards it to meet it head-on with her sword, rather than to give it any chance to potentially catch her by surprise.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang The tentacles swept across the lakebed, coming at Thebes and Rareth like wrecking balls travelling at the speed of sound. Under the water and this close to the source, they didn't fully unfurl. Instead, they packed together like fleshy fists, trying to kill its prey before eating it. Thebes used his suit's propulsion unit to juke left out of the way of the initial crushing blow, but another smaller tentacle tripped him up. He dragged his energy dagger along the side of it on the way down; blue-black ichor sprayed all over Thebes armour, the tentacle wiggling frantically away. Floating back to his feet, Thebes was buffeted by the mace coming free of the lakebed beside him. Jetting above the writhing tentacle mace, he unholstered his rifle and shot down at the mass with one hand. It reacted quickly, flicking up at him. The mace clipped his legs, sending the soldier spinning head over heels toward the beast's mouth. "Rareth, keep it occupied; I'm going to free Carthage." Thebes ordered, firing at the creature's mouth whenever his spinning trajectory granted him a line of sight. Another of the tentacles rushed in to grab his floating form, so Thebes activated another little burst on his projector pack, shooting him out of the way. The current took him perfectly to the top of the creature's main body, where he had to pump the brakes to avoid crashing into the thing's beak. He clunked over to Carthage, who was trapped in the corner of the mouth, firing up at the tentacles ranging to attack them. "Carthage, assessment." Thebes called, turning to fire upon the tentacles as well. "My suit legs are all messed up. This thing is chewing them." Carthage grunted. "There's a spot in this thing's throat that it doesn't like getting shot, but i can't do that and move away." "Understood, let's do it together." Thebes said, just as another tentacle returned from the surface of the lake and smashed into both of them from above. Thebes considerable heft bounced against Carthage's suit, giving her the shove she needed to dislodge. "I'm falling!" She yelled alongside the system alarms pinging in his ears. Thebes quickly bent down and grabbed her hand as she fell in. The beak grinded up against Carthage' suit, trying to crush her. She yelled out. The same tentacle that had done the damage tried to finish the job, jabbing Thebes to remove him from the mouth area. He held on, anchored in place by his grip on his teammate.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori As powerful as the beast was, and as impressively quick as it could move its limbs, it still could not simply club its way through a plasma sword. When the two met, it was the energy blade that incinerated any flesh it touched. She split the club in half down the middle for some distance down the length of the tentacle. Part of the tentacle did strike her stomach, though without near the full force. It only served to slow her down somewhat before she resumed her charge forward. When Rareth came in close, it was to slash at the remaining tentacles close to their source. Thebes requested cover to extract Carthage, which was precisely what Rareth gave. She was quick, and there was no sneaking up on her. If any part of the creature so much as came close to her, her blade could cleave it in two. Two of the tentacles closest to Carthage she severed near the base, while others farther away started to keep just out of reach, though her particle cannon could still injure them. Once Carthage started to fall further into the beak, Rareth turned to assist. The tentacle that jabbed at Thebes was met with the burning edge of Rareth's sword, and would certainly be severed like the rest if it was too stubborn to give up. At the same time, she collapsed her other arm back into its normal configuration, then grabbed a hold of Carthage as well under her arm. She added her considerable strength to pulling the Human from the beast's clutches, then decided to further discourage the creature by using her blade to start indiscriminately carving through any piece of its mouthparts that she could reach. "Just…get her out, and I can finish the beast."</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang The beast gurgled in distress, shuddering to try and shake off the assailants. With Rareth's help, Thebes managed to regain his footing and haul Carthage some of the way out of the beak. Her suit was battered and sparking from where the jaws had crushed it. But try as they might, she wouldn't come free entirely. The beak had locked in place, with just her head and torso protruding. "My legs are stuck on it's teeth!" Carthage yelled, just as the creature's body dropped dramatically into the sediment. Where before they had to climb up the beast to get to the mouth, now it was level with the lakebed. Thebes looked around him and shot at a couple of tentacles. "We're sinking." He concluded grimly. He turned back to Carthage. "You're going to have to eject your suit. I'll carry you to the surface." She nodded, and her suit started flashing red. "I'll give the fucker something to chew on." It was Thebes' turn to nod. He looked at Rareth and then back to Carthage. "On three, we'll haul her out and then get clear. One, two, three!" The creature fell further into the hole it was either sitting on top of, or busy digging, as the front of Carthage's suit peeled neatly away. A cloud of bubbles erupted out and up to the surface as she lunged forward, pulled towards them by both arms. She wrapped her legs around Thebes midriff, and he savagely kicked the empty shell of her flashing suit. It fell fully into the creature's mouth, and the beak sealed shut. "Go, now!" Thebes called, turning and firing at the tentacles as they all rushed forward. Carthage pulled his sidearm out and joined in. Thebes set his jet pack to use everything it had and pushed off toward the side of the lake, near the top. The propulsion unit kicked in, shooting them through the water above the creature like a missile, milliseconds before tentacles collided where they'd been standing.</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 The creatures disappeared in the massive ball of plasma-fire as it filled the narrow space. 595 fired her pistol gleefully into the inferno, until all three of the beasts charged out of the maelstrom. They were closer now, and coated in plasma. They screamed and chittered, rushing forward with their front halves raised to trample them. The creatures were bigger than both of the soldiers, and angrier too now.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Rareth quickly moved her fusion cannon to her back as the creatures emerged from the cloud of plasma. Visual scans showed their shells were melting, but not quickly. Its composition appeared to be closer to that of rock than chitin, hence the heat resistance. It would not be immune, but another approach might be more effective, not that there were too many choices for Rareth. By the time her weapon was away, the first creature was already close upon her. Rather than run or dodge, Rareth elected to meet her foe head-on. She modulated her shields to their normal state before rushing forward herself at one of the creatures. When the pair met, the sound was like a clash of titans. Metal struck stone, and they both stopped one another in their tracks. To avoid being pushed back, Rareth had to dig her feet into the ground, cracking the stone underneath her and pushing her feet into the cavern floor itself. The stone insect was massive, but so too was Rareth's strength. As they pushed against one another, Rareth gripped the beast's mandibles from the inside as it tried to close them around Rareth's head, while she pushed outward to stop them…then start prying them apart. Far from her usual military professionalism, Rareth let out her own bestial roar as she pushed back, then steadily lifted up the insect. It took considerable exertion even for her, but while still gripping its mandibles as handholds, she turned and pushed all of her strength at once into throwing the creature. She sent it through the air and slammed its full weight into a second creature that had tried rushing past her towards the Agent.</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 595 ran through the gap Rareth had created past the first two creatures. With the ease of someone who practiced weapon assembly in their sleep, she attached her energy dagger to the front of her spook pistol like a bayonet while on the move. The third beast was advancing more slowly and cautiously, but lifted up it's impressive head and lunged for her as she approached head-on. The agent turned on a coin, juking around the massive pincers. She skirted the cavern wall, pushed off of a stalagmite with one foot and landed on the creature's armoured back. The thing chittered manically and bounced from one side of its legs to the other, trying to throw her off. But 595 perched in place, one hand gripping the edge of it's armour plating to stabilise her footing. Picking her moment, she clambered forward until she was right behind the creature's head. She could hear that it was spitting acid at Rareth while trying to throw her off, and could see the other creatures had untangled in quick time. 595's suit identified two potential weak points to try. The first was on the sides near it's legs and the second was underneath the armour plating on its head. From where she stood, the agent could see a crack in it's armour where two plates overlapped on the back of its 'neck'. This seemed like the most promising bet to her. Using her bayoneted pistol with both hands like a shovel, 595 reached up and jammed the energy blade between the two plates repeatedly, firing her pistol until she suddenly it was stuck. She kept firing. The creature screamed and rolled over suddenly, taking the agent with it.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Rareth had to decide quickly how to follow through. The Agent rushed one of the creatures, and she did not have time to concern herself with whether or not the Human would succeed. The Agent had insisted upon coming along, so it was her fault if she could not hold her own. Just a few seconds after throwing the creature, Rareth rushed after it to press the advantage. The creature Rareth had thrown fared better than the one she had struck with it. There was quite a distinctive sound to their shells cracking against one another. The one underneath had been crushed between the the ground and the weight of the other insect, and so was squirming from its injuries. Although, neither were close to death. The top creature started to rear up again, which was met by Rareth charging straight into it to slam it up against the wall of the cave. The one on the ground would surely be scrambling to turn on her soon, and the other had already struck her shields with acid, but she had a few seconds, at least, to deal with the one in her grip. Rareth pressed her hand against the equivalent of the creature's throat to hold it up against the wall for a moment as she reared her hand back. Its legs tried scratching at her armor while its mandibles snapped loudly at the air, but there was nothing to stop Rareth pulling back for one, good punch. One punch that landed with all the strength her body could produce. One punch that shattered the stone shell just below its neck, pierced through the soft tissue, broke out of the shell on the far side, and finally smashed part of the cavern wall behind it.</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 595's suit alarms pinged as the massive centipede rolled her flat. "Pressure warning. Twenty eight thousand kilopascals. Please remove..-" The Agent left her pistol lodged in the thing's head and pushed against the thing's body with both her arms and legs. Her grunt of exertion turned into a shout as its mass gradually began rolling off the other side. The beast must have sensed it was going to flip back over, because it decided to right itself. The roll accelerated rapidly, with 595 providing more encouragement as she freed her right arm and leg. It's head crushed the wedged pistol against the floor, driving the bayonet and barrel deep into the soft tissue. The centipede gurgled, thrashing about desperately as it completed the roll. 595 didn't waste time, jumping to her feet and leaping onto its neck again. She hung on for dear life, yelling angrily as the creature careened around the narrow passage. They crashed against a wall and clung on by virtue of the bayonet stuck in it's armour. She yanked it out and shoved her hand in the cavity instead. Suddenly, she could feel the thing's primitive thoughts and feelings, it's pain and drive to protect the hive. She grasped her hand around that consciousness and squeezed like she'd been taught, all those years ago. Their mouths opened simultaneous and the same incandescent burst emitted from both. And then, the centipede disintegrated into a heap of black particles with one last screech and 595 disappeared in a flash of light.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Rareth quickly pulled her hand from the screaming, squirming creature and tossed it aside with the hope that the wound would be enough to incapacitate or kill it. What demanded more of her attention than the creatures was the incomprehensible occurrence with the Agent. Even with her many, many years of experience, she was not quite certain what had transpired. It was a definite reminder that this place was not reality, no matter how convincing it seemed. The creature, by whatever means, disappeared into ash, and Rareth lost 595 in a flash of light that even her own sensors did not adjust to in time. The third creature, in the time it was given, did manage to recover from the hit it took and turn on Rareth. It lunged at her, slamming her back against the cave wall with its mandibles latched firmly around her torso. The insect squeezed to try and crush her body between them, but Rareth seemed to have an almost apathetic calm about her. She looked down on it as if it was a nuisance, as she had felt the strength of their mandibles herself during the first attack. She knew well that her armor could hold up long enough for her to take the time to deploy the particle cannon in her right arm, stuff the barrel into its mouthparts, and fire down the length of its body. What happened to the agent was far more interesting to her than killing simple insects.</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang She opened her eyes slowly, blinking in the light. She could see her own bare hands laying on a moss-strewn stone floor in front of her. Pushing down on the floor, she rose to her knees. Her breath billowed away from her in clouds of vapour. She groggily looked around, trying to focus on her surroundings. She was in a vast square pergola. Detailed stone pillars surrounded her, holding up a heavy roof. Icy wind howled through the gaps between pillars, dredging up constellations of dust from the floor and whipping the sconced torches into long thin needles of fire. In front of her, up a few steps, was an exquisite throne. Something was sitting there, but she couldn't see what. Rays of light blinded her when she tried, like how she imagined looking at a sun would feel. "Tell me." a voice commanded, in a strange language that she somehow understood. She tried to clamp her mouth closed, but the words forced their way out. Long streams of them in the same tongue. Her back stiffened and her face rose to stare at the ceiling as information poured out of her mouth. She tried to hold onto what it all meant, but it's meaning slipped from her grasp as quickly as it'd arrived. Despite the freezing wind, she was sweating. She flitted in and out of consciousness, but eventually the talking stopped. She collapsed onto the floor, face to the ground. A cool hand stroked her forehead, like she imagined a mother would've done. "Shhh...shhh." the voice soothed. She slept.</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori The aid from the others did weaken the creature, though it did prove a difficult one to kill. She pushed outwards against the tendrils trying to crush her torso, and despite its size, she held her own. She could not quite pry its vines away from her, but as it was also taking fire from the outside, it changed its approach quickly. It formed several of its amorphous appendages into spikes and began striking at her armor from several angles to try and pierce through. There was a loud clanging with every strike, but the lessened crushing pressure did give her the opportunity to retaliate. From her left arm, Rareth's plasma blade deployed, immediately cutting through several of the vines. She swung in a wide arm while spinning around her body at the same time to throw off the wounded creature. Her sword cleaved straight through the center of its mass, though she was spared a spray of ichor by the cauterizing effect of the high intensity heat. After quickly recovering her weapon, Rareth fell back with the others towards their camp, her fusion cannon firing non-stop to keep their attackers at a distance. In particular, she focused on keeping the path between them and the cave clear. Nirann had the transit station disassembled at this point; it just needed to be loaded on to the cargo bots. "We'll move into the cave once everything is loaded up. Thebes, have a few of your people move slightly ahead along the path I've marked, while the rest of us cover our flank. There are creatures that inhabit this cave, but as long as we stay distant from their nest, they may leave us be."</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 Thebes jumped back to his feet, shield recharging after that hit from the ballista. "You heard the lady - fold back to the caves. Lets go!" The Sacred Band didn't need telling twice. They'd done this sort of thing a thousand times before in the simulator, and it showed. Using their innate awareness of each other's position and sophisticated battle mapping, four of the team gathered just outside the deployable cover, and another two fell back to protect a line heading into the cave system. Half a dozen of the creatures mounted the ridge, but sustained fire from all angles kept them from advancing too quickly. Some attempted twistering through to the deployable cover, but were quickly picked apart by a laser focused barrage from the entire group. "Ok, we're good to go!" Dr Wetherall called, gently nudging past 595 as she fired into the melee to give the bots instructions. They began moving slowly out of the shield bubble and towards the cave system. 595 looked back to check where they were headed and then followed alongside, firing and walking. "Ngata, grab the deployable cover, quickly!" The elderly scientist snapped, clearly stressed. Just then, a bloodcurdling roar issued from somewhere close by in the valley. It sounded like metal girders being bent and ripped. It was quickly followed by a sharp crack and the ground shifting under their feet. "Everyone move! Double time!" Thebes shouted. He stepped back into the deployable cover and grabbed Dr Ngata as he stooped to deactivate the first module. "Leave it, there's no time. The whole shelf is going, get into the caves now!"</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Rareth had never stopped firing when they fell back, and when it was time for them to move, she sprinted forward to place herself halfway between their camp and the cave entrance. It was only a short run between the two, but they still needed to provide as much cover as they could to get the civilians, and their equipment, across that gap safely. Even as the ground shook, it did not meaningfully impact Rareth's aim. With the targeting software assisting her, she could adjust immediately. First and foremost, she focused her fire on any creatures close enough to possibly intercept the others as they made their run. Nirann ran alongside the Human scientists, though he did draw his carbine to defend them against anything that might get in their way. It was not his job to fight, in this situation, but rather just to make sure they got to safety. He controlled their cargo bots remotely, and so he also had access to all of their sensors as they moved.</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 The Sacred Band fell back in quick time. They worked in fire and movement pairs where one person ran while the other provided cover and vice versa. 595 reached the cave entrance first and scanned for hostiles inside before sending the bots further into the complex. She stayed near the entrance, clambering onto a rock to shoot at creatures further back as they scrambled over each other to reach the front. Another ear-shattering scream filled the valley, and a sickly green will-o-wisp emerged over the top of the cliff. It was contained within a massive swarm of vines that seemed to collect up the smaller creatures as it crashed forward like a wave. Razor vines extended ahead of it as another series of sharp cracks came from underneath them. "MOVE!" Thebes ordered, activating one of the grenades on his bandolier then unclipping it from his armour and dropping it on the floor. The front half of the Sacred Band turned to sprint. Carthage fired an incendiary rocket at the swarm, setting a section of it on fire. 595's beam rifle splayed over it's frontage. A small hole appeared where Athena blasted it with her railgun.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori The others had reached the cave and were making it inside, but Rareth kept her eyes on the approaching swarm. Would the cavern truly provide safety against this beast? Not only was it massive in scale, but she could not be sure of its capabilities. If they wanted to put some distance between themselves and the creature, just running might not be enough. Rareth was close to the cavern entrance, but did not yet step inside. Instead, she turned back and stared down the encroaching swarm. She loaded each of the six launcher tubes on her weapon with micro-missiles while her neural implant painted target locations across its mass. When she fired, she let loose the whole volley of six missiles at once, spiraling through the air towards their designated targets. Rareth did not have enough information from her scans to know its exact weak points, so she simply spread out the targets to cause as much damage as possible over a wide area. The missiles themselves were set to trigger on a timer from first impact to allow them to penetrate into the creature and detonate within. Rareth did not know how much damage this being could withstand, but if it did not die, it was Rareth's hope that the equivalent of six heavy artillery shells exploding within its body would be enough to at least slow it down. As the explosives started to detonate, Rareth rushed towards the cave with the others as quickly as she could.</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang The whole shelf seemed to explode at once. Not least from inside the swarm of tendrils, with six huge gouts of superheated energy emerging at once. These merged with the bandolier of grenades that detonated underneath the cloud. The creature let out a thunderous screech, which was quickly followed by another earth-shattering crack from underneath it. The whole shelf began crumbling, with huge slabs falling away from the main formation and sliding down into the valley below in a massive avalanche. This was compounded by boulders falling down the mountain above the caverns as well. A rock the size of a small car bounced off Memnon's armour while he was providing cover fire. The hit staggered him and cracked his shields. "Get back in here Mem, haul ass!" Saddam, his fire and move partner, yelled, standing just inside the cave. The heavy gunner was just outside the cave entrance, having moved back out to cover Rareth. He turned and found he was running uphill, as the shelf slowly crashed into the valley below. He dodged another boulder, but abruptly found he could run no longer when a razor vine protruded through his stomach and his feet left the floor. The creature had spiked him with one of it's longest tendrils as it fell, broken, down the side of the shelf. "MEM!" Saddam hollered raggedly, dropping his rifle and running forward until Knossos tackled him to the floor. The cave entrance was quickly becoming inaccessible due to falling boulders - if they went outside now they wouldn't get back in. "I guess it's just you and me." Memnon gurgled over comms, as his suit began flashing red. The vine with him attached scraped against the falling rock face, seemingly trying to find purchase as the swarm got buried under the shelf. "Good luck, everyone." With that, the gunner shut off his comms and the cave entrance collapsed entirely. The surviving team were on their own again, with just tremors from the mountainside to keep them company. After a few seconds, another massive shockwave shook the cavern, dislodging dust onto all their heads.</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori By this point, there was likely little surprise to the fact that Roth'Orsa had a calm, direct response to what the Director-General had showed them. This time, she continued to stare ahead at the screen after the video ended, without actually looking at any of the Human representatives. "Even if you were to give us all information you possess on the Cradle, and give us full access to every aspect of it, we could not guarantee that we would be able to take control of it in time to save your world." Roth'Orsa said flatly. "There are no guaranteed outcomes in any choice we could make. Our best outcomes require trusting in the word of the being we discovered. There is no way to be sure of its honesty, but all evidence we have access to does…suggest truth in some of its claims. It made the claim that it influenced the development of life on our planet, which is…consistent with the accepted hypothesis of the Rahn'Saki prior to these events." Roth'Orsa's last statement turned the heads of multiple Rothians across the room, including some of the ranking leadership. Vreta was both confused and surprised by what she seemed to be implying. The idea that Rothian life could have been intelligently designed had been a shock to him when the first evidence came to light weeks ago, but Roth seemed to be suggesting that the Rahn'Saki had been considering that possibility even beforehand. Not only did they consider it, but the idea was their favored explanation. He had no idea what had caused them take on such ideas, but it was certainly not a commonly held belief among Rothians as a whole. Regardless, Roth'Orsa did not pause for so much as a moment to address her own people's surprise. "We believe, with all data considered, that allowing the being to heal the Cradle is the most likely path to ending the crisis on your world. Were the situation less dire, we would recommend greater caution, but to delay risks losing the option of the being's assistance. Is Outremer in agreement, overall?"</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang When the rows of faces appeared back on the screen once the clip had finished, many of them wore truly shocked expressions. About two thirds had been instantly ejected from the meeting by the video's clearance level, leaving only nine top officials in the conference. Freyr knew immediately upon surveying the faces of her superiors that the Director-General had gotten his way. He'd wielded top secret footage from her morning briefing and hyperbole like a club to hammer any sense of caution or due process from his audience. She watched, exasperated, as Outremer's high command discreetly messaged each other while the Speaker made her closing remarks. Freyr quickly surveyed her colleagues' faces; they looked horrified with the pantomime unfolding before their eyes. She then caught 595's eye - the agent was grim and pale, still not fully recovered from her re-entry. She gave Freyr an incomprehensible look - what was that? Pain? Fear? Sleep starved elation? Freyr turned back and hurriedly leaned forward in her seat before the officials gave their answer. "As head of Cradle Research and Development, I would like to formally object to reuniting the artefact, codenamed Rothia 1, with the Cradle. Under Diaspora Colonial Secrets statute 43, article…61, the expedition lead can request thirty Earth days of direct study in-situ before presenting official recommendations to the-" "Dr Lang I'm terribly sorry, but your conflict of interest with the Cradle's operation precludes you from using DCS in this way. Especially in Rothian space." Smith replied coolly, having obviously prepared responses to the primary arcane procedure that Freyr was privy to. "Dr Lang... As someone who has lost a child too, I know the pain you must be feeling." President DeWinter soothed; all of the faces had stopped talking to each other and were now watching her closely. "I would give anything to see my babies again. But we must do this, or we risk every future generation of Outreman children. For that reason, I'm authorising the repatriation of this object to the Cradle. I hope you will help us, Freyr." Dr Lang massaged her eye sockets, resigning herself once again. She nodded slowly. "Of course, Madame President."</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori For the first time, Roth'Orsa actually paused for an appreciable moment to formulate her response. Vreta imagined the Rahn'Saki were discussing among themselves, perhaps with some disagreements among them to account for the short delay. "If we are in agreement, then we should begin preparations to move the device to Outremer. One of our scientists, Nirann, has already submitted a proposal." She said, turning her head towards his holographic avatar and gesturing to him. "If you please." Nirann was initially surprised to be called upon to speak. The Rahn'Saki doubtless already knew everything he knew, and much more. There was a good reason the rest of them had stayed quiet while the Rahn'Saki were handling diplomacy. Still, he did not hesitate to follow his leaders' request. "Of course. I am aware that the Cradle has, in the past, been adverse to moving from its position within Outremer's crust. We do not know if this new device would be similarly stubborn, but in any case, my proposal would bypass such resistance." Nirann began as he pushed a digital copy of his written proposal to each of the meeting's attendees still present. "Rather than try to excavate the object, we can simply build a Class 1 gateway around it, underground. At the same time, we bring another gateway to Outremer, then simply send it through the wormhole. Even if the object will allow us to move it with no resistance by other means, this process would still be quicker than the time it would take to excavate it from Rothia safely." "In addition, we also need to discuss our cooperation." Roth'Orsa quickly continued. "This matter has moved far beyond just the concern of Humanity on Outremer. Based on the information available, the list of potential outcomes may impact every living species in our galaxy. We will require full cooperation in the study of these devices, and equal decision-making power for any matter with a potential influence beyond Humanity's concerns on Outremer."</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang "Thank you for submitting that proposal, Nirann. We will need assurances that the gate is only temporary, though." President DeWinter smiled at the holographic Rothian then turned her head to address at Roth'Orsa. "We have discussed the arrangement as a group and could potentially agree to expand the clause on exo-Cradle objects. So we can investigate this entity's compatriots together." The Director-General nodded encouragingly while DeWinter continued. "But we cannot agree to any expansion of our relationship regarding the Cradle. It is still our asset, and willfully relinquishing control to another civilisation would reflect poorly on this administration. Our top priority right now should be returning this thing home."</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori "But you are mistaken, President." Roth'Orsa replied, unshaken by the Humans' resistance, and unmoving in her demeanor. "The Cradle is not yours. You did not create it, and as we have learned, its creators are not dead, nor did they willingly abandon it. If what we have learned is accurate, the Cradle is the home of these beings. It belongs to them, and they have the right to it. The Cradle now fits the definition of the native homeworld of an independent, intelligent species within your borders. You do have the right to control first contact, but you do not have the right to deny us access to it for our own…anthropological study and diplomatic activities." Roth'Orsa leaned forward, maintaining her stare towards President DeWinter. "Even aside from such legal definitions, what happens with the Cradle no longer just concerns Humanity. Every Rothian, every Tindrel, Ulsix, or Paran. Every single thinking being in our galaxy could be preserved or destroyed based on what happens to the Cradle. Consider, President DeWinter, that we are no longer discussing a piece of technology. We are no longer merely arguing about allowing Rothian scientists to satisfy their curiosity studying an interesting computer. We are discussing an existential threat to the continued existence of the Rothian people. This is no longer a matter of intellectual curiosity for us, President, it is a matter of survival. Consider your answer within that context, before you reply. We will not demand Cradle data you have already gathered through the centuries, none of your technologies nor secrets you have extracted, but we will require full and equal access to study the Cradle as it is now. We will require equal involvement in reuniting the device on Rothia with the Cradle, and an equal voice in the events to come involving it. There is nothing less that is acceptable."</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang "I can take that first part for you, Madame President." The Director-General asserted. DeWinter nodded, glad to put some distance between herself and this problematic legalese. The man with the shining eyes answered the Speaker. "The Cradle has always been categorised as a 'colonised habitat' belonging to Outremer, ever since we founded New Antioch. For the past...three hundred and sixteen years it has been sub categorised as a 'Tier 1 government installation'. This means we are authorised by Diaspora law to deny access for any reason. Given these unique circumstances, if this intelligence can prove that the Cradle is it's home we are prepared to fast track it's repatriation. But we cannot do that if you are holding it hostage and withholding it's equivalent of medical assistance. You may well be contravening the Native Populations framework if you refuse to move it to Outremer." Freyr hung, speechless, on every word of this exchange. It was noticeable how much better prepared the Director-General was now, when compared to the last time they'd been together at the Rothian embassy on Outremer. She saw a man who had inadvertently opened up a can of worms, and was now painstakingly catching and killing all of the loose fugitives with the precision of a surgeon. Freyr also noticed that after his initial admonishment of herself, Smith had become utterly emotionless, perhaps to mirror the Speaker herself. "Thank you, Director-General. I would like to add that we are well aware of the scale of this discovery. We're looking forward to working together as allies to find a solution. I'm sure we can find some middle ground with regard to data sharing. We will also of course involve Rothia and any other civilisations in the decision-making process."</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Athena nodded and hefted her rail gun. With an effective range of ten miles, she'd have no problem projecting power along this hundred metre stretch of road. She was essentially holding a miniature version of the main gun on some classes of warship. Knossos stepped toward Vreta. He felt the Rothian was slightly out of his depth, but made sure not to come across as pushy. After all, this was just a PR exercise for the Sacred Band, and Thebes had given the leadership role to Vreta as a mark of respect. "We should prepare for the possibility that they'll hold us in the open-air lane to push hard through the apartments. Thebes will be playing to his strengths, just as we are." Knossos spoke quickly, with one eye on the clock as it ticked past fifteen seconds. "I could go with Kjartan, or you could commit more troops there. Eight people may not be enough. Alternatively, we can stick to the plan and I will try to lock down the front entrance to the building. What do you think?" The veteran soldier wasn't clear if the Rothian had received formal military training before, but something told him the alien was a quick processor of information, which was crucial for leadership. "Decide quickly, Lizard Man! We won't wait." Kjartan hollered from the edge of the zone. He held out his left arm, and armour plates slithered away from well-protected parts of his body to form a hefty rectangular shield attached to it. Kjartan slammed his hammer against the outside of his new shield, creating an intimidating rattle.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Though Vreta did have military training, his expertise did diverge from the kind of fighting that soldiers were responsible for. Espionage required planning, but of a different sort. Still, the concepts of how to read a battlefield and judge the strengths and weaknesses of his own team were not unknown to him. More than anything, if there was one skill his experience had prepared him with, it was to think and act quickly. "I know how skilled Carthage is reputed to be, and I cannot know if we would be able to overcome her without an overallocation of resources. I do not think it would be wise to make a plan that depends upon holding the apartments. Controlling the apartments does provide access to the windows and a flanking route, but it does not give direct access to our flag. They still have to cross open ground for that. Let us still push mostly for controlling the streets. As long as we can prevent them from getting too much value from the windows, we can diminish the value that the building gives them. Kjartan, if you feel like you may get overwhelmed inside, try to retreat back and draw them out into the open. As soon as Carthage leaves that building, she loses her advantage."</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Knossos nodded and stepped back as the final couple of seconds ticked away. "Yes, team leader." He turned to the rest of the soldiers clustered around them. "You heard the man! Get tactical, we're taking the centre. I want to hear comms all the time, especially from inside those apartments." Knossos and Athena went to the edge of the forcefield keeping them in the spawn area and got ready to run. Kjartan laughed maniacally, bashing his shield again. "No retreat! No surrender!" The drop troops who had elected to support the berserker were assembled in tight formation behind him, and for good reason. The clock reached zero, and a loud klaxon sounded. The forcefield vanished, and their shields flared up to show they were active. "Let's go!" Knossos shouted, and they all surged forward as one.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori It seemed like there was little that Vreta, or anyone, could do to control Kjartan. In truth, he was starting to understand why the Sacred Band was less-than-enthused to have him assigned to them, but these were the tools he had been given. He could still try to come out of the scenario with a victory. Vreta still intended to play to his own strengths. He was not a soldier, and certainly no Datius, but he still had his advantages. While Athena set up in her position, Vreta moved up along the corner of the building off to his right. The simulation had formed wrecked vehicles, rubble, and other obstructions to serve as cover in the streets. Vreta climbed up on one of these obstacles just high enough to get sights on anyone who poked their head up above cover down the street. He could fall back down into cover quickly if his shields started taking hits, but he was confident in his ability to take such duels at range. At first, Vreta would naturally be aiming down the street along with Athena. In particular, he wanted to see if he could pick off Carthage before she could cross into the apartments. That, more than anything, would give Kjartan a decisive edge inside the building. But, he also tasked his neural implant with keeping up awareness beyond his own point of focus. Vreta's natural mind could only truly focus on what was in the center of his vision, but his implant could scan his peripheral vision in much greater detail. It could identify Carthage quickly, as well as pointing out anyone aiming at him from the street, or the windows once the enemy reached the apartments.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Athena sprinted off the mark, well aware that taking out key targets now would allow them more time to take ground. There were a few piles of rubble that were higher than everything else, but they weren't immediately accessible. Instead, she ran to an upturned flier and rested her railgun on its undercarriage. Looking down the sights, she saw flickers of people moving in between the obstacles at the far end. She focused as laser fire began crackling around them. Even though the sim had changed all their armour colours, she still caught a glimpse of Carthage's distinctive profile running across the road. She was covered by other running bodies, and there was only a split second window in between cover, but Athena didn't waste that chance. She took the shot, and a loud crack filled the arena. Athena was accustomed to seeing bodies explode into lumps of flesh at this point, but instead two of the opposite team floated into the air, their shield bright red to indicate they were dead. They drifted back toward the Red Team's spawn area. Carthage wasn't one of them. "I missed her, Carthage is in the building. Changing position." Athena reported, just as a grenade exploded near their position. She dived to the floor as a curtain of dust rained down on them. "Move!!" Knossos called, jogging through the dust cloud between Vreta and Athena with the bulk of the troops behind him. "Follow me, stay low!"</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Right from the start, it was apparent that the enemy was planning around the dangers of long sightlines. They kept low and moved between cover as much as possible. Vreta had a feeling that it was not himself that they were worried about, though even with their precautions, Athena did show why they gave such respect to her. With just a slight opening, she managed to take out two of the soldiers supporting Carthage. Vreta too was tracking Carthage, and as she was rushing into the apartments, he did manage to tag her shields with a shot from his rifle. Unfortunately, his weapon did not have the same power of Athena's, so one shot wasn't enough to breach the shield. Careful movement was not the only way that their opponents were planning to deal with the sniper. Before Vreta had even taken his position, they had tossed a grenade over. Though, the explosive was closer to Athena than himself. It kicked up dust and struck Vreta's shield with some distant shrapnel, but not enough to force him to reposition right away. The dust did obscure his vision, though in all honesty, that was more to his advantage at the moment, as it also obscured him from the enemy. The arena was not too large, and especially with the "buildings" on either side of the street to reflect sound waves, his echolocating ability could see where his eyes could not. Even through the dust, his implant could overlay terrain an enemy positions onto his HUD. Thanks to the acoustic effects of the buildings, he could even see around many obstacles in the street. Vreta had not been able to take out Carthage, but eliminating her support in the first engagement was the next best thing. Kjartan had a whole team with him, so even Carthage would not likely be able to deal with him without sufficient support herself. Athena had already taken out two, and Vreta could keep his position long enough to challenge those trying to make it into the building behind her. Vreta tracked one about to make his move and marked him on his HUD. Even with only small openings to take a shot, the fact that Vreta could track positions through obstacles meant that he could time his shots just right to hit between even small gaps. The first hit did not slow the soldier down, as it easily could have been a stray. The second hit came as he was making the run for the door, and by that point, it was too late to turn back. Vreta hit his third shot just as the Human was a few steps from the door to send him back to his spawn.</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Athena got up and moved from the upturned flier. Staying low, she ran closer to the accessible block of apartments, where a large pile of masonry had fallen from the top levels to the street below. She climbed up the heap until she could peek over, then quickly arranged the bricks into a stable firing platform for her railgun. "They're moving the cars!" Knossos reported, firing over the top of the military blockade he was hid behind. Another grenade exploded by a cluster of destroyed vehicles. Two members of his team were propelled through the air and into the window of a small jewellers shop on the spawn-side of the street. Glass sprayed everywhere, and a shrill alarm rang out over the top of rippling energy fire exchanges across the width of the street. "I see it." Athena, sending a tungsten round through the top of a flier that was making its way slowly across the battlefield. It kept coming. "Spread out!" Knossos called, firing and moving, an energy round fizzing off his shield. Kjartan reached the access bay door first, promptly smashing it open with his hammer. "You two, check the upper floors. Sound off if you find anyone." The drop troop team leader ordered, before setting off after the berserker along the ground floor. The other four troopers followed.</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta moved behind the bus to block off the line of sight between him and Thebes, then took his other grenade in hand. It was a "scrambler" smoke grenade which, in addition to being a visual obstruction, provided disruption to enhanced vision modes, such as EM or thermal vision. Given the prevalence of augmented vision among militaries, smoke with disrupting capabilities was the norm. He landed the grenade just outside the doorway on Knossos' flank to block off the sightline Carthage had on him, so she would have to run outside to have any impact on the front line. Since the smoke did nothing to disrupt sound waves, Vreta could still track enemy positions through it. Since Kjartan had lost the apartment building, Vreta stopped trying to challenge Thebes and instead kept in cover while watching the windows and doors of the apartments. "Anyone still inside, retreat. I can cover the doors and keep them from giving chase. Our soldiers are holding the middle for now, so if we can keep Carthage and her squad trapped in that apartment building, they won't be accomplishing much for their team. Every one of them in there is one less between us and the flag." Vreta's conscious attention was now on the apartment exits, while his neural implant handled the live updates on enemy positions. "Knossos, Athena, work together to take out Thebes. If you can get smoke on him, Knossos, I can keep updating his position through it. He might not expect that. You don't even need to get him out of cover. With me tracking his position, you only need to get him behind something Athena's weapon can pierce through."</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang The response to Vreta from inside the building was a burst of static and a few half words. "Is Saddam inside?" Athena asked. "Likely. Moving!" Knossos called, fast-crawling toward the crashed flier behind cover. Soldiers on both sides were in a pitched battle now, with energy rounds flying across No Man's Land. Thebes was still co-ordinating from the front, spraying plasma down range at Athena and Vreta. Knossos unclipped a smoke scrambler and lobbed it by the edge of the flier pointing back toward Thebes' own spawn. It exploded in a large puff of smoke, covering most of the vehicle and also providing cover for Knossos' approach. The veteran soldier tapped the Marine sergeant on the back of the helmet and pointed. "Moving left! Give me cover!" The other man nodded and relayed the order down the line. Knossos wasted no time getting up from behind cover and sprinting toward the smoke, drawing fire from all angles. --- The drop troopers supporting Kjartan's ill-fated push into the apartment building had stacked up around the hole he'd made in the wall. They'd caught the opposite team in a bad spot with sparse cover, and had wasted two of them in the corridor almost immediately. The other two had smashed through into adjacent apartments and were firing doggedly from the doorways. Unfortunately, they were so preoccupied with trying to stamp out the other Marines that they missed Carthage emerging from the ruined remains of her fight with Kjartan. They missed their opportunity to suppress her position, and only returned fire when she was halfway across the fire-stricken lobby. Vreta ordered a retreat right when she found them. "We could use some support! Oh, shit. Contact left!" The squad leader shouted as Carthage sprayed the opening with energy. She changed weapon and disappeared from view before bursting through a nearby fire door, ripping it off its hinges as she did so. She absorbed a few panicked energy bursts from the closest trooper with the loose door before sending him flying with a blast from her freshly-retrieved shotgun. She then pivoted and blocked the butt of another soldier's gun from smashing her visor. Carthage flicked the weapon out of his hands, discarding it on the floor and bending his arm the wrong way when he tried to punch her. He screamed as she flung him straight into the squad leader who had started unloading his rifle at her while shouting orders. They both clattered into a wall.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta kept his position behind the bus and no longer tried to take shots on the front line, so the soldiers trying to suppress him were mostly just wasting their time. From the position he had, he could see the doors and windows of the apartment building perfectly fine without exposing himself to enemy fire. Even without firing a shot, he could still provide a great deal of assistance to the frontline, especially once the smoke came out. As quickly as he could, Vreta spoke through the team-wide comms. "Help Knossos' push! Get more smoke on the enemy; I'll keep targets marked." He ordered. The enemy team was winning out in the apartment; that much was undeniable. As confident as Kjartan was, Carthage had the edge on him. However, the frontline was where they could exploit their own advantage. It was a simple advantage, but one that could not be understated: the Blue team could shoot accurately through the smoke, while the Red team could not. Vreta had his implant working as fast as it could to give live updates on enemy positions based on his echolocation data. With more and more smoke covering the battlefield, now was the time to push. All his marines had to do was shoot at their HUD markers onto targets that could not meaningfully shoot back. The enemy had already used a large portion of their lethal grenades in their previous attempted push, so they would not have enough to repel this one.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Knossos made it to the other side of the flier and took cover briefly. Stray energy bolts fizzed through the smoke. He looked through one of the holes in the vehicle and saw Thebes' visor staring back at him. Knossos shot through the hole, fully expecting to miss, before sprinting along the length of the vehicle, On this side there was less chance of him getting shot by accident through the smoke. Keeping his rifle just below his eyeline, Knossos skirted around the other side of the flier. The smoke was visually impenetrable, but a marker did allow him half a second to shoot before Thebes crashed into him. They clattered to the floor with the Sacred Band's leader on top. He punched Knossos twice in the visor before he slithered free and they rolled through the rubble. --- Kjartan surged forward as soon as his shield dropped him delicately on his feet in spawn and returned to active mode. He approached Vreta, standing in the open with his arm-shield raised. "The Witch is free now - we must stop her. How goes it here? I can take men?" He seemed to have calmed down marginally on his trip back to spawn, without losing the bloodthirsty look in his eyes.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta could track the fight between Thebes and Knossos. It had turned into a melee briefly, which meant that Thebes would not be able to focus on staying completely behind hard cover that Athena could not pierce. "Can you get the shot, Athena? I'll keep him marked." With the number of lives they had available to them, it was not long before Kjartan was ready to head back into the fray. Ideally, Vreta wanted to try and prevent him from continually throwing himself at Carthage, because he had a feeling that she had the edge in that duel. Of course, from what he had witnessed of Kjartan's personality, saying that directly would only encourage him to keep taking the fight. Vreta had already tried reasoning with him, so he decided to take a different approach to talking to him this time. "I ordered a retreat from the building. With just a few soldiers, I can keep the exits locked down and keep her trapped in there." Vreta answered. "We do that, and she won't be able to accomplish much beyond taking a few potshots. Meanwhile, I say you march straight down the middle, bash your way through the rest of them, and take that flag straight out from under her nose. We're filling the frontline with smoke, and I'm marking targets through it. If someone like you gets in there, you'll slaughter them." He said, and at least in this case, he did mean it. The current situation on the frontline was perfect for a soldier like Kjartan.</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Carthage jetted sideways out of sight to avoid a hail of energy from the two standing drop troopers. They themselves were taking fire from the other team trapped in the opposite corridor, so they rushed after Carthage. She was blocking their escape, and right now they were trapped in a bad spot - they figured they could go on offense and shoot their way out. One of them chucked a grenade through the ragged hole Kjartan had made, to hold off the Marines pushing forward on their six. Then they grabbed their squad leader off the floor and exited out of the other hole Kjartan made, into the corridor heading back toward their spawn. Carthage wasn't visible in the corridor, but she exploded back at them from the entrance to another apartment further down the hall. She knocked the gun of the leading trooper up in the air - he sprayed the ceiling with plasma. What followed was an incomprehensible flurry of jabs, kicks and momentum based control. Carthage twirled her shotgun with inhuman precision to beat all three soldiers to the floor and then finish them at point-blank range. The two remaining Red Team marines from her initial push jogged down the corridor towards her just as the last body began floating away. Carthage's visor peeled back when she looked at them, making them flinch. "Come. Let's end this." She looked up at the ceiling, where she could hear pounding feet. "Saddam, report." "My floor is clear. The top floor is having some issues." Carthage nodded to herself as they headed down the darkly lit corridor for a patch of light at the end. "Good enough. Take a window, keep them occupied." "Copy that." --- "I know this! But they are on all floors now. I was held from above, see? They take these windows, fire down on battlefield - I can survive, but who else? Not enough cover to fight on two fronts." Kjartan motioned to the rows of windows looking out on the street with his hammer. As if on cue, energy bolts began raining down on them from one of the closest windows on the middle floor. Kjartan hid behind his shield and edged into cover beside Vreta. "See!?"</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Athena gritted her teeth. She'd been watching the cloud of smoke enveloping Knossos and Thebes fighting it out, but couldn't find a clear shot. Thebes was mindful to always keep Knossos between him and Athena's line of fire. She could hear the staccato coughs of pistol fire from somewhere behind the flier. The Blue Team was making significant ground off the back of Vreta's smokescreen tactic, meaning the two duelling operators had been largely left behind by the rest of the Marines. "I'll have to change positions to fire inside. Keep me covered." Athena got up and began running across the street, just when gunfire erupted from apartments on the ground floor. She was hit half a dozen times in a second, and her shield nearly broke. She dived onto the floor, crawling behind a flier. The rest of the drop troopers who'd been killed inside the apartment building floated past her. "Alright. I go win this." Kjartan begrudgingly boomed. He started to run down the length of the bus, shielding himself from energy fire. But he screeched to a stop when someone shouted over the din of shooting. "Hey, big man!" He turned, and saw Carthage on the steps by fire exit into the apartments. She held her extensible launcher in her hands, pointed straight at him. Kjartan only had time to bellow the first syllable of her name before a high-explosive rocket fizzed past him and into the bus.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori The team did run into some bad luck when the enemy soldiers barged into a room that had an angle on Athena from the door itself. Vreta did mark them, but it gave him less time to warn Athena than if they had approached from any other room. Still, Vreta responded right away in giving her cover. They committed onto taking out Athena, so Vreta was able to focus one target down to score a kill, and Athena was able to make it to cover, if only narrowly. Being that they were supersoldiers, Carthage and the rest of the Sacred Band had distinctive silhouettes, so Vreta knew right away when he had detected her. It took a moment to transition his aim, but he was able to see her the moment she was in view near the fire exit. He saw the launcher she wielded, and his implant could estimate its trajectory based on her current point of aim. She might have been able to take advantage of the opportunity, but, perhaps for reasons of pride, she inadvertently gave Vreta the time he needed to respond. The time she took to taunt Kjartan was only seconds, but on the battlefield, seconds may as well have been an eternity. Those seconds were enough for Vreta, while keeping low and out of sight, to retreat back a sufficient distance from the bus to keep his shield from breaking. Carthage had picked her target well, as Kjartan was not an immediate threat to her at range, but she may not have expected the trio of shots that Vreta sent through the fireball onto her position.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Carthage dived back inside the apartment building, taking a DMR hit. The bus exploded in a huge fireball that swept the spawn, setting everything ablaze. Kjartan was propelled into the air on a shockwave of superheated air. Saddam briefly ducked down when the rest of the window panes in his room shattered, then got back up and resumed suppressing Athena and Vreta as best he could. Kjartan landed on his head and immediately struggled to his feet, using his hammer as a crutch. His vision was blurry and the sounds and movements around him were flourishing at a languid, sluggish pace. He saw Carthage emerge from the apartment building in slow motion, smoke curling around her armour from the corridor. She tore the heavy metal fire door off its hinges and advanced with it held in front of her. She chucked a lethal grenade over the top, followed by a smoke grenade. "The Blue Team have picked up the Red Team flag." An androgynous announcer confirmed over comms. The baseline of team comms on the Blue Team erupted into excited, stressed chattering. Half a dozen voices began shouting at once, one of which was Knossos. "I can't contain him, RTB." Just then, Thebes completed his armlock and simulated breaking Knossos' neck. The shield wrapped around the veteran soldier prevented any damage, but acknowledged him as KIA. Thebes got up and glanced urgently between both ends of the arena. At one end, the bulk of his team were engaged in bitter close quarters battle around their spawn, shrouded in smoke. At the opposite end, they were close to taking the objective. It didn't take long to make his decision - Thebes stuck to the plan and ran toward the Blue Team end, weaving through cover and shooting with calm precision.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori It was in times like this that quick and calm tactical analysis could serve Vreta well. Knowing his enemy's positions, he could work out a reasonable plan, even as events had not gone perfectly well. His implant had collected enough data to be able to project a live-updated map of the arena, and the people in it, in the corner of his vision. He could identify the supersoldiers by their silhouettes, so he knew where they were, and which needed to be dealt with most urgently. Thebes had bested Knossos, but he was still near the middle, among the clouds of smoke. He was still a few seconds from being able to help, at least, and more than that, he was behind enemy lines. Supersoldier or no, his shields were no more powerful than anyone else's in the simulation, so if any Blue team marines turned around on him, he could not ignore them. "Thebes' position is marked, behind our lines. Take him down." Vreta said through team-wide comms. Though, his own focus had to be on the threats immediately around them. If Carthage was taken down, the momentum could easily swing in the other direction. She was carrying an object for cover, but he doubted that a simple door could stand up to a railgun intended for anti-materiel roles. Athena just needed the chance to take one shot. Vreta himself had backed up away from the bus, taking cover in some rubble closer to their spawn and near to the flag itself. He no longer had an angle to shoot down the street, since the building to his right blocked his view, but he could still see the apartments. Saddam was accurate, but since he and Athena were in quite different positions, he still could only suppress one of them at a time. Vreta could use that. "Athena, eliminate Carthage. I will cover." He ordered simply. With Carthage's position marked for his allies, Vreta fully-committed onto taking out Saddam. He peeked out from behind the rubble and fired into the window, quickly and accurately. Being that he was firing from long range, Vreta's weapon did have the edge. It was only three shots for it to break shields, in this simulation. Still, whether he won or lost the duel was not important to his goals. Only a supersoldier like Saddam would be accurate enough at long range to stop Athena from taking her shot, so he just needed to be occupied for a few seconds. If Vreta lost the duel, Athena would still be able to take her shot, and a trade of his life for Carthage's would be more than worth it.</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang A few of the Red Team soldiers hanging back from the melee unfolding around the Blue Team spawn pivoted to fire on the silhouette of Thebes as he broke through their line. He zig zagged through the urban hellscape, taking a couple of hits but continuing on at top speed. The Marines were all committed to extracting the enemy flag, but the corporal closest to the rearguard ordered a few soldiers to follow her after the Sacred Band leader. "Copy." Athena confirmed, emerging from behind the car she'd been sheltering behind. She shouldered her railgun; it shortened in her hands to increase maneuverability at shorter range. Carthage dropped her shield and broke into a run when she spotted Athena looking at her, but she couldn't prevent the sniper from putting a round right through her. Athena took multiple hits from Saddam before he hid from Vreta's DMR. Unfortunately, this was enough to allow the last marine on the ground floor to pop up and finish her shields and kill her off. Fire from the drop troops taking up positions around the spawn forced them back into cover, but more Blue Team fighters began shooting down from the top accessible floor; they must have concluded their firefight up there. Carthage's last grenade went off among a cluster of the troopers, spraying masonry everywhere. "Red Team flag dropped." The announcer intoned. The Marine chatter at the other end of the arena reached a crescendo. "She was mine!" Carthage yelled groggily, as Carthage floated away. He staggered through the field, energy bouncing off his shield. "THEBES!" He bellowed, levelling his hammer at the operator when he spotted Thebes advancing towards them.</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Marae nodded. "Agreed. We do have such a limited time to carry out our work. I'm sure a simple talk with Rareth will be enough to clear up any problems you have. If there is anyone on your ship, or team, with experience in neuroscience, they are more than welcome to assist in analyzing the data from the scans. Once they can see the data themselves, they may be able to explain to your people the advantage of using our devices." Though they were all clearly in a hurry, Marae still had one more matter to bring up to Freyr. Based on the smile she had, it was something she was particularly excited to share. "Now, there is one more thing." She added. "I have a project of my own I intend to take on, based on the data from our first insertion. Much of the interaction we have with the object pertains to a mix of artificial intelligence, computer science, and neuroscience. All of that falls quite squarely into my area of expertise. Some…work I have done in the past has inspired me with an idea. Don't set expectations too high, I am only just beginning to explore the idea, but I believe I could develop a method to prevent 'Cradle death', as you call it. A way to prevent the neural shock in the real world that comes with expiring in the simulation."</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang "I'm not sure any amount of explanation will help…" Freyr muttered, glancing again at the Agent. What Marae said next excited her greatly, but Freyr did her best to maintain an equal tone. This wasn't the expedition's main objective. "A noble endeavor. Let me know if you require assistance; it's something of a specialist subject for me. --- The two science teams pushed on with preparing for a second insertion, including the set up of a tandem link between the object, the FOB and the Barb. The enormous computing power at their disposal allowed for seamless virtual collaboration and analysis between the two labs. The majority of this to and fro centred on discussing the best way to approach the ancient entity, but a multitude of side projects were simmering away on the fringes too. However, the timeline was thrown into disarray when Captain Andersen informally requested a short postponement. She was obviously reluctant to submit state of the art military hardware contained within her soldiers to any scanners apart from her own. Freyr tried to explain that Outreman infantry likely possessed nothing the Rothians already knew about, but Andersen maintained that clearance was required from Fleet Command. While Dr Lang theoretically had discretion on all scientific activity, they were guests aboard the Barbarossa. It would have been the height of bad form to press ahead with the plan, so Freyr reluctantly acquiesced, after stressing the very short timeline everyone was working to. The Captain sympathised, but maintained her need to follow procedure. So Freyr gritted her teeth and pressed her team to work with the info they had until things played out.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Given the true motivations of her actions, Rareth's first attempt in negotiating was to try and convince the Humans to allow the civilian scientists to go ahead and get to work while they worked out a deal for the military personnel. She stressed the short timetable they had and pointed out that the civilians did not have the same issues with the scans as Andersen was concerned with for their soldiers. However, Human pride did come to the Institute's aid in this case. Despite the fact that Rothian forces were even more capable of protecting the scientists than the Humans were, they would only be satisfied with a Human presence. Rareth was not afraid to chastise them for obstructing the project for matters of pride; however, she did not argue for any longer than was necessary to keep up appearances. In the end, she agreed to allow the project to proceed without full scans, under the condition that anyone affected would sign a rather comprehensive waiver before being allowed to proceed, in addition to the Captain signing a formal agreement between herself and the Datius. For the most part, the paperwork was a formal acknowledgement that the Captain understood the health risks involved, and that the Humans were knowingly proceeding against the recommendations of Rothian medical personnel. It also waived any legal liability on the part of the Rothians for any future health issues among Human personnel as a result of the decision. Eventually, the project did get back on-track to start. The Rothian science team had been ready to begin for hours, and indeed likely would have entered the simulation themselves had the delay lasted too much longer. They had only to wait for the Human team to be ready to start, and to that end, Rareth contacted Freyr directly shortly after her meeting with the Captain concluded. "Dr. Lang, I am sending you a copy of some paperwork that some of your team may need to sign. It waives liability for us in case any of your team decide not to follow our medical advice. Though, for civilians like yourself, you do have a choice. I still highly recommend that you allow us to perform these scans. Having before-and-after imaging of the brain could be highly valuable in identifying and treating any neurological issues, and it would be best to have data points from both of our species." Rareth recommended.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang The academic in Freyr relished the idea of getting a better view on her brain. For the purposes of our expeditions into this unknown object, but also for her own interest. She suspected a few members of our team would also be similarly interested. They'd heard about the advances of Rothian instruments the same as her; some had begun grumbling about the lack of access they had to those tools now. "Thanks. Yes, it would be good to have that scan. Can you get the equipment up here quickly? I want to begin the exercise as soon as possible." Freyr was standing in a yawning hollow near the Barbarossa's cargo bays. Harsh white lights shone down on a grid of insertion harnesses, metal shelves of equipment and a hulking mobile lab on six hydraulic legs. Bots floated around, carrying items and making changes to connections; they'd built the entire array to spec from the main lab in a matter of hours. Most of her team were already down here, either manning stations or huddled around a holo-collab table with the Rothian scientists. Military personnel had stayed away purposefully until the all clear from their Captain. But that must have been given now, because Freyr spotted the Sacred Band filing in. They clanked over to her, visors up. "Good morning, ma'am. Where would you like us?" Thebes asked.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori "The equipment is already set up and ready in the field laboratory. To bring the scanning equipment up to your ship requires keep a constant presence aboard your ship. We still have to protect our technology, after all. It will need to stay under armed guard, which means negotiating for the constant presence of an armed guard with your Captain. It would be much easier for your team to come to the surface." Rareth replied. There was a slight tinge of irritation in Rareth's voice, though it was hard to tell at exactly whom it was directed. She did not look directly at Freyr when she growled under her breath. "And for that matter, why are you operating on the Barbarossa at all? The lab we constructed above the object contains the full array of necessary equipment, both yours and ours. It was constructed fully cooperatively between our two people, it contains facilities and equipment that are comfortable for both of us. Having our science teams move to constantly work separately will be to the detriment of our efficiency. Now that we have negotiated full cooperation between our people on this project, it would be quite a strange time to move away from having our teams work together in a hybrid lab."</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr smiled sympathetically at the soldiers that towered over her. They looked well rested, considering they'd stayed up all night with Memnon. Their eyes looked aged though, like they'd seen a millennia of sorrow. It made her wonder how many times they'd had to attend the vigil before. "Sorry, one sec." Freyr paused the audio on her video call with the Datius before answering them. "Are you sure you're up to this? You're allowed a day off." Thebes grimaced. "Not a chance, ma'am. This is far too important." Freyr nodded appreciatively. "It certainly is...Tech 52 will get you strapped in." She pointed a slender finger at a bright yellow drone, hovering above some of the harnesses. Dr Lang turned back to Rareth's holo. She briefly considered just telling her the main reason why, but didn't know who might be listening. Hopefully she could read between the lines. "Owing to the urgency of our investigation, I've gained clearance to modify a trillion-credit mobile research command centre. One of only three in the galaxy, it's now ready for the new language we found inside the sim. It's also been violated with certain military modifications, on the insistence of our Captain. The camera doesn't do it justice, but It's much too large to deploy from FOB - we have to coordinate from a cargo bay right now." Movement on the corner of her vision distracted Freyr momentarily. The large doors to the bay had rolled back, and two military transports were now rolling into the space. Leading them was an open top buggy, crewed by Captain Andersen and a few senior crew members. Freyr turned back to Rareth hurriedly. "As for the scanner, i don't think i can swing a trip to the surface right now. Things are a bit...tense. You'll be able to ask the Captain yourself if you like." The buggy stopped nearby and Andersen marched stiffly over with her aides. She noticed the Datius' holo and addressed her first. "Datius. Have you briefed Dr Lang already?" She looked at Dr Lang. "Two dozen marines have volunteered for this mission. Can I ask you to use them?"</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 "There is evidence from our research of the Cradle to suggest these things can practice a dormant state, with no power usage over long periods. That could be how it escaped detection for so long..." Freyr explained, biting her lip. "We don't exactly know what would happen if it ran out of power completely, but there is undeniably significant risk of permanent damage." "So we are torturing it for information!" 595 snarled from off camera. Freyr snapped her head up to look at the Agent. "So you think we should just take the thing's word for all this paradigm-shifting new information? That the Cradle is actually home to a quartet of life-giving machines, and that some new threat approaches our door? There are questions that need answering before we reunite it with the Cradle, not after!" 595 nearly said more, but held her tongue. She was wary of giving away any more information. They were clearly arrayed against her, so she'd need to be much more subtle. Freyr looked back at Rareth when she began explaining her idea. "That could certainly improve the odds! Do we have a firm grasp of the object and the capabilities to move it into orbit?"</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori "At the very least, we can use the same method we intended to try to bring it to Outremer. A gateway could bring it into orbit, and we could send it on a path for a flyby of the void star. We only need to move it a week ahead in time, so it should be easy to calculate a path that will send it to the correct time with a single flyby." Rareth explained. "We should not begin the test until we are ready to move it, so we should have a bit more patience and take advantage of the time we have. I suggest you allow Marae's team to examine this lab of yours. With their expertise, they may be able to make improvements, reduce its energy needs, allow it to operate with fewer crew. If this entity truly is one that is allied with us, we do not wish to cause it any harm." --- Given that they needed to be ready to move the object quickly, the teams did not enter the simulation right away. They allowed time for automated construction teams to burrow into the ground and build the needed Class A gateway around the outside of the object's containment shield. It would be able to transport the object instantly into orbit around the black hole. If they chose, they could even give it the initial velocity it needed to send it on its flyby. Although, it would be preferable to first modify its containment structure with its own propulsion, in case they wanted to modify its trajectory. Eventually, the teams were close once more to being ready to act. While the rest of the Rothian science team stayed on the ground, Rareth herself decided to pay a personal visit to the Barbarossa, for the stated reason of wanting to better facilitate cooperation between the teams in orbit, and on the surface. For a while after their initial greetings, Rareth simply wandered the lab and observed the work, but as the time came nearer to enter the simulation, she approached Freyr directly. "The time is growing near, but my concerns do remain, Dr. Lang. I have already spoken with Marae about it, but I want to hear your explanation directly as well. This lab we are sending in, what exactly are we hoping to gain with it? What data is it capable of collecting that would tell us the entity's intentions?"</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr had hoped Rareth would come aboard. She'd stayed by her station in the centre of the action while the Datius did the rounds. When the giant Rothian approached her and began speaking, she looked over as if she'd been engrossed in work and hadn't noticed. She smiled, said hello, and reached out her hand. As expected, after studying Rareth gently grasped her hand and they shook. Freyr began answering the question out loud with one track of her mind. Regular metrics that didn't mean much to the uninitiated - deliberately quite technical. With the other track of her mind, Freyr opened a physical data connection with Rareth, and gave her the real answer. That night in the club with Plenipotentiary Wallace and Kalax Verengonig had inspired this idea. Freyr had watched them grasping each other's arms and communicating in complete secrecy by sending chemical & pheromone signals through their bodies. She'd studied body chemistry alignment, but had never practiced it before now. Freyr knew it'd be much harder to communicate with a Rothian in this way than with another Human, but this was the best way she could think of to talk without drawing attention. While their regular implant comms would be quite secure, it was another matter to obscure the connection completely. Fortunately, she had an innate grasp of her implanted firmware, and manually programmed some additions to make the translation of her body chemistry into something a Rothian implant could understand. The sensation of making that connection was strange, like interlocking fingers, toes, tongues and hair with something completely alien to her. Every nerve ending in her body jangled and sang. But she kept her expression plain and initiated the chemical signal she'd worked on. If everything went to plan, it should feel to Rareth like her own subconscious was saying these things to her. ><^ Don't be alarmed, just listen.><^ ><^I've configured the rig to search for information connecting this entity to the Cradle, and for proof of the 'Hegemon'.><^ ><^It said all meaningful records were stored in the Cradle, but there might be usable imprints hidden somewhere in it's memory.><^ ><^The Cradle has obscured origin logs for centuries, but this entity is vulnerable, and not as vast in scope. We might have a better chance now than we'll ever get again.><^ ><^We might learn where these things came from, and perhaps secrets about intelligent life itself.><^ ><^Please trust me when I say it's important we try. I can feel something isn't right. Do not make this information public. My life is in danger. Do NOT offer me asylum or try to intervene, I have to save my family.><^ The last segment was rushed and crammed together, as Freyr felt rising nausea threatening to disrupt the flow of actual words coming from her mouth.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori From Freyr's perspective, it would be hard to tell how well her message got through. Rareth did not act or react in any way that would indicate acknowledgement nor a response, but it would be hard to say whether that was because the message did not get through successfully, or due to her expertise in matters of subtlety. Rareth did respond directly to the words Freyr had spoken aloud. "I will trust Marae's judgment on whether or not this data is worth the risk. Above all, we cannot risk harming this entity. We seek peaceful cooperation with it. Ideally, we want to be able to find a way to inform the entity of our plan to advance it in time. And if we can find a way to help stabilize it, or ask permission to perform our tests, we will." In the time they had taken to prepare the object for transport, the Rothian team had also made some improvements to the mobile lab they intended to use for this plan. Antimatter powered micro-reactors could improve the overall energy efficiency of the device, and Nirann had been given the instructions necessary to perform the tasks of several crew members to reduce the number of people they would need to send in to the simulation. Altogether, it would hopefully reduce the impact on the entity. At least in terms of that motivation, Rareth was not lying. If the entity truly was their ally, she did not want to harm it. "We do, of course, need to take precautions for your safety. We will send in one droid ahead of the team to ensure that the environment in the simulation is still livable. We do not know if the storm we encountered just before our exit has persisted, or how much of an area it covered. If it has, we may need to call this off. Our mobile transit stations have passed all simulated trials, so you should be able to extract quickly if there is trouble. Have you discussed my prior suggestions with your Captain? I would prefer to send in no more than is necessary. Ten or so, would be my recommendation." Rareth suggested.</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang "Yes of course. If there are any signs of terminal strain on the simulation we'll pull out immediately. We want to keep this thing alive." Freyr assured Datius. The thrill of discovering an entirely new species was not lost on her. If it weren't for all the other extenuating circumstances, she'd have already laid the foundations for formally introducing this entity to the galactic community once the mission was declassified. It might have been her crowning achievement - uncovering a lifeform that was potentially millions of years old and one of the final puzzle pieces to her life's work - uncovering the secrets of the Cradle. "The drone is already prepped. I'm not injecting it until we're in a ready position, so we can quickly follow it and minimise runtime waste." Freyr frowned at Rareth's next question. "Yeah, I discussed them. Andersen came down from thirteen to ten marines, plus the Sacred Band. That was after I explained that the modifications to our lab mean only eight are required to control it. She won't budge any further." "Boss!" Dr Apalkov called from the other side of the holo-table. Freyr moved all the floating items with a 'through the bushes' motion of both hands. "What do you have for me?" She asked. "I've locked onto the mountain, using the extraction file. Want me to lock that in again now?" "Good work, yes please. That's where we last saw the creature." Freyr looked back at Rareth, hands resting on the table. "There's no easy way down the mountain for the rig if our friend isn't there. I hope the anti-gravity generators you installed work as described. Do you have any more questions for me or can we get this show on the road?"</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori "Unfortunate. I know you had some strange experiences in this simulation. I did see Rareth's perspective, and you definitely disappeared entirely in that cave. I have a feeling that the rules here can be…different from reality." Vreta commented . For the moment, Vreta moved with Freyr and 595 into the lab. He did need to make contact with the entity, but it was not as if he was simply going to wander off into the ruins on his own. He hoped the equipment on the lab would help him in making contact. He followed the pair up the ladder onto the vehicle, followed shortly by Marae, Nirann, and the rest of the scientists. The soldiers were the last up, as they covered the area until the civilians were on board. As they headed to the nerve center, Vreta continued to speak to both the Agent and Freyr. "I know you may not have the answers, but I would appreciate any advice you can think of. I need to find some way to make contact as soon as I can. I would prefer to be able to open dialogue with the entity before we make any drastic moves here in the sim. I hope you are aware that Rareth has ordered us to call off our attempt if the entity objects to it. We don't want to harm it. Remember, the whole point of bringing the object to Outremer to begin with is so we can help the entity recover. Even your Institute is willing to reunite the two, which is honestly not the answer I was expecting from the Director-General, I'll admit. At any rate, I'm just glad we can agree on something. Let's just try not to sabotage our own mission while we're here."</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 595 didn't reply to Vreta - she had nothing to say to him right now. She busied herself with guiding Freyr onto and up the ladder instead. Dr Lang fumbled clumsily with her carabiner until the Agent gently took it from her and attached it to the ladder's guide rail. Eventually, they made it up onto the rig's lower deck. A thin metal pathway with a support railing wound the whole way around both decks. Freyr led the way towards the front of the massive vehicle, holding on carefully to stop the wind buffeting her over the side. They approached a solid set of blast doors in the side of the vehicle with a keypad to one side; snow was already beginning to settle in the panelling. Freyr jabbed her pass sequence into the interface and the doors swooshed open. They clanked into a cramped heptagonal room. Five of the walls were covered in consoles and screens, with a holo-interface in the centre. The door they entered through occupied another side and another door opened on their right once Freyr went in. "We need to check the simulation isn't going to crash around our heads in five minutes time first." Freyr answered. "And then, we will try and make contact with the entity together. The rig's energy distribution is compartmentalised, so we can set up basic monitoring and comms without turning the primary power source on. We have Marae to thank for our improved efficiency here." Freyr hit a few toggles on her wrist holo and the room they were filing into lit up. The screens populated with graphs and fluctuating spirals. "Comms." Freyr announced into the room. "Dr Chanthara, you're up." "We should have someone outside guarding this door. Question is - one of yours or one of ours?" 595 asked Vreta.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori "That depends, how comprehensive is the lab's surveillance system?" Vreta questioned. "I would say we should position the soldiers to cover any blind spots that might exist. Otherwise, they should position somewhere central to be able to reach any part of the rig quickly." Although Nirann was nowhere to be seen around them, he was evidently close enough to listen in, as he soon came in on their comms. "I'm heading up to the bridge right now. I'll start up the sensors right away so we can get sights on our surroundings." "Good, safety is Rareth's priority here." Vreta answered back, though he quickly returned his attention back to what was immediately around him.. Unlike Marae and her team, he had not been instructed in the operation of this lab, but as an observer, he could still make sense of most of what he saw on the consoles around them. He hoped that the entity would have the ability to communicate through the comms system the lab was using. His job would be much easier if he did not have to go out into the storm. "Rareth also instructed me to make sure transit stations are prepared for activation as soon as possible. She wants everyone close enough to a station that we can all evacuate in under twenty seconds if we encounter trouble."</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang "The only blindspots are inside the rig. Outside, we have a full spectrum view in three hundred and sixty degrees from maneuvering cameras and technical instruments." Freyr explained as she led them through the interior door back towards the middle of the craft. "The last thing we need is soldiers in full battle dress clogging up the gangways." 595 countered Vreta. "The Norse can't even stand up in here." "It is okay - I man turret instead!" Kjartan boomed over comms from somewhere on top of the vehicle. "Reminds me of home." "The soldiers can traverse the length and breadth of the rig from the outside. Or they can carefully set up in the common room on the top deck. It has easy-ish access to most exterior doors. And...you'll be pleased to know that most compartments in the rig are equipped as a transit station too. Only the power plant goes without. We'll need them for outside though." Freyr offered helpfully as they emerged from a tight corridor into a slightly larger rectangular room. Her mouth dropped open slightly. The consoles and holos in what should have been a sensory suite were stuck halfway between fully assembled and the folded down state where the rig could reconfigure the layout. Equipment jutted at strange angles from the floor and walls, jerking as the mechanisms caught repeatedly. "Richard, can you get to B2 please?" Freyr called over comms. "Nirann, are you wired in yet? Can you detect any malfunctions in the sensory suite?"</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori "On it." Nirann answered briefly, in a hurried voice. Vreta frowned as he looked around at the mechanisms, but he decided to hold on for Nirann's assessment before saying anything about it. He intended to counter with his own recommendations for their defense, but another voice soon spoke up through their comm channel: Eti'Prar, the leader of the Rothian fireteam. "We can move inside later. Until we have a full sensor sweep of the area, security personnel should keep watch on the hull. My recommendations are attached." She remarked. At the moment, the Rothian team was still outside, patrolling the outer walkways. Each of them positioned to be able to cover different angles, but also to be able to see at least one of their allies at all times so that they would be in a position to be able to quickly assist one another if needed. The file that Eti attached in her message were the basic schematics of the rig, overlaid with the recommended positions of the members of both teams. For interior positions, once they moved inside, her plan involved splitting the members of the teams strategically so that someone could reach every part of the hull quickly in an emergency, while still having overlapping fields of fire to be able to cover one another on exit. It would also prevent them from having to crowd the interior hallways, so it was altogether well thought out. As confident as Vreta might have been in his own planning capabilities, he still trusted their own soldiers to be able to lead themselves effectively. And fortunately, it also did not take too long for Nirann to get back to them on the issue he was dealing with. Although, it was rather obvious that he found some solution right away, considering that the mechanisms around them suddenly folded up into their compartments before deploying once more, this time correctly. "Got it. Just had to reset the system. I'm also on the external cameras, so I'm going to go ahead and start a sensor sweep of the surroundings now." Vreta was momentarily relieved that the problem had been solved, though he still could not help but to hold some concern. They could not afford "surprise" issues. "Good, but still run a full diagnostic on every system you start up, regardless. If there has been some kind of damage to the rig, then we'll need to call this mission off. We need everything to work right the first time. Freyr, Agent, are hiccups like that normal for equipment in the Cradle? If something about this place is introducing unexpected errors, then this becomes a lot more risky."</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang "Mmm, agreed." Thebes gave his stamp of approval for Eti'Prar's plan. Once order had been restored to the sensory suite, Freyr beamed at the people around her. "Excellent work, Nirann! Thank you." Just then, Dr Wetherall pushed through to the fore of the group. "What's the problem?" He panted. "Seems we had a glitch somewhere in the system, can you check this room out please?" Freyr asked the veteran Systems boffin before leading the way up some steep stairs to the top deck. "I don't think the rig is damaged. If we've aligned the code base, there shouldn't be any issues... It could be due to the plate we're sitting on… I remember from the recordings it lit up just before the creature grabbed the team. Might have some kind of manipular field which is interfering now…" Freyr mused, responding to Vreta's question. They entered through another blast door at the end of a short corridor at the top of the steps. The room that greeted them had a central control interface, complete with a large three dimensional holo map that was slowly populating right in front of them. Three jump seats were fixed to the walls and floor with small screens clustered around them. A single door opened at the other end of the room and another door exited on the same wall. "This is the bridge, through there is the cockpit. And the one on your right heads back to the common room." Freyr announced. Dr Lang moved to the command console just when Thebes updated them on the general channel. "Lots of movement up here now. They're smaller than the fliers we took last time. Looks like they're attracted to the lights." A few pictures came through, showing what initially just looked like the blackness of night. Then Freyr focused on the picture and could discern individual winged bodies, a bit like large bats. They were swarming together, like one being. "Interesting. Don't shoot unless they come within touching distance. And then try to capture one alive!" Freyr replied. "Now, Nirann. Any signs of life in that temple over there?" She asked after a short pause to check the equipment.</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 The Agent pulled absently at the tight blonde plait down the back of her neck. "No, i think it'll want to work very closely with you." She sent back, with a smirk on her face. "Something tells me this thing keeps its young close, unlike yourselves." A cargo droid shooed 595 off of the crate she'd sat down on. She started moving again, weaving through the throngs of people. "How are you feeling, Vreta'Sori? You've been through a lot. Do you feel anything out of the ordinary?"</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta chuckled slightly, crossing his arms as he paced back and forth near the balcony's railing. "You say that, but you haven't seen what a Rothian does when one of our children is threatened. It's less that our parents are attached to us, and more that we are attached to all of our children." Eventually, Vreta took a moment to call for a shuttle to bring him home. He would be heading home regardless of how 595 answered him, so there was no point in delaying. "Personally, I feel fine, though I don't think there can be anything 'ordinary' about having someone else's memories in your head. I remember being you. Your thoughts, emotions, sensations. I didn't notice it as much at the time, but now that I'm thinking back on it, there's all these little details that just stand out to me. The way my, or…your hair feels, your clothes brushing up against your skin, or that feeling of sweat on your brow. I always thought there would be some sort of sensation accompanying your pores secreting water, but it was just…there all of the sudden. Of course, your memories are a curiosity to me, but the important ones right now are the ones we were shown of the cephalopods. I remember being the senator, the one who made the decision to evacuate their world. Do you think you would be willing to come down here to talk? After what happened with that signal scanning us, I'd rather talk in person. Freyr will be perfectly safe up on the Barb, and I would like to figure out if there is something in our memories that will help us locate those cephalopods' world. If we could actually find their world, that would go a long way towards proving this story about the Hegemon."</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 595's skin crawled again as Vreta described parts of what was supposed to be her memory. She restrained herself from validating what the Rothian said on that front - it was still just a vision. There was nothing that could prove it was real. The Agent bit her lip as Vreta carried on. Digging down in this mystery with the squids would almost certainly compromise her mission even further. But she was starting to question even those parameters now; was it not her duty to read between the lines of Outremer's divine plan? That being said, 595 still greatly distrusted the offer of an excursion on the planet below. The entire apparatus had clearly aligned on the goal of extracting information from her. "I don't know...i kind of like it up here." she answered. "Why don't you cancel everything and come see us?"</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori "Maybe I will." Vreta commented as he was climbing into his shuttle. "You should come for a visit, though. Like I said, we can get lunch. Besides, there was something I wanted to show you. Still, it's not like I can force you to do anything. I just hope you will think on all you've seen. With what you saw, it's fair to say that you know me better right now than anyone else, except perhaps Eti's team. You're not the one in charge, I know, but that doesn't mean you're powerless. Your people don't have to stand alone." --- At the very least, the team did not experience any more complications to their plan. Every part of their plan, from the gateway's arrival at Outremer to the Object's return from its orbit of the void star, had been calculated down to the minute. The Object, which was currently slotted inside a specially-built frame with gravity thrusters for propulsion, was moved into position within its gateway's transit zone. As for the Barbarossa, it was finally cleared to move into position to transit to the larger gateway the Rothians had brought to Outremer. It was accompanied by a Rothian frigate outfitted to the Rothian science team's specifications. Though, much of the lab equipment on-board was intended to be transferred to the Rothian cruiser already on-site eventually. The science team had grown larger over the past few days as more specialized experts were assigned to join, but all of the faces that the Humans were familiar with would still be joining them. Naturally, Rareth'Jharn was given command of the Rothian contribution to the operation, and even Nirann was able to come along, in a manner of speaking. His AI core was still vital to Threria's infrastructure, and it was not practical to remotely puppet an avatar across light years. But, just as he could copy his mind to enter the Object, so too could he send a copy to join the team.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr fainted at least twice in between their last expedition inside the Object, and the proposed date of its return to Outremer. The Barb's physicians scanned her out of an abundance of caution, but found nothing wrong with her. The Rothian brain scans also came back inconclusive. Dr Lang was stressed, tired and grieving still, but those were all normal, Human responses. Freyr pushed her team as hard as she pushed herself. They had an enormous reservoir of information to make sense of from their expedition, and very little time to make an impact. She tried not to resent Nirann for forcing her to leave the Rübezahl's final uplink inside the Object. She had programmed it in secret to aggressively mine data bearing similarities to the galactic signposts left inside the Rothian DNA. Nevertheless, Freyr held out hope that something else would come up. The analysis of Human DNA hadn't yielded any clues as to the location of other Objects. The team used a second range of samples from scientists and crew members after hers had been misplaced. Dr Lang was still working as the Barbarossa's lab was stripped of anything the team might need while operating from Outremer again. Technicians and academics flitted about her as she stared intently at the map they'd started to draw of the Object's innards. Freyr was so engrossed that she jumped when Dr Wetherall placed a hand on her shoulder. "Time to pack your things, Freyr. We're going through the gateway now, won't be long until we're home." "Mmmm. Fine." Freyr admitted absently, waving him away.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta was some distance behind Freyr, halfway across the room. The form of a brightly-colored Rothian woman loomed over her, watching her screen from over her shoulder. Though, of course, Vreta was the only one to see her. "You're actually worried about her." Rhia remarked. By this point, Vreta had grown accustomed to avoiding giving any reaction to Rhia that an onlooker might notice. "Even I've noticed that she doesn't seem to be in a good place. Sure, all of this does have me worried, but it's a lot more…personal for her." "Yes, yes, that much is obvious. I wasn't wondering why she was upset. I was wondering why it bothers you." Vreta grunted…mentally, at least. "What, are you not programmed to feel sympathy? I thought you were an AI, not glorified software." Rhia's avatar quickly re-appeared just beside him. "I can feel sympathy just fine. Sometimes it's just better to stay detached on a mission." Vreta pushed himself away from the support column he was leaned against. "Well, you can just 'detach' yourself from my field of view. We're about to traverse, and things will probably move quick once we're there." From the perspective of those inside the ship, away from any viewport, there was nothing at all to hint at the activation of the gateway. It warped spacetime to the point of punching a hole through it to a point many light years away, but from the perspective of the ship, they simply…arrived. The gateway had been brought into orbit around a gas giant in the same system as Outremer, though the Object itself would have been sent straight to the planet itself. The counterpart to the much smaller gateway it had used had already been assembled near to the Cradle, so an Outremer team could handle the start of its arrival. The Barbarossa and the Rothian frigate would not be far behind. Already they were calculating their jumps, so it would only be a few moments to their destination. It would take much longer to actually get down to the surface from orbit. Finally, Vreta approached close enough behind Freyr to be noticed. Provided she was paying attention. "Need any help packing? I'm sure you don't want to keep the shuttle waiting."</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr almost didn't respond to Vreta. His words ran down her neck like warm rain, completely unnoticeable until they hit a dry patch. After a couple of seconds, she looked up and turned slightly to look at the Rothian. The feedback loop in her mind replayed his question to her. "Oh, thank you. That's very kind, but I think I can manage." She smiled at him distractedly, then sighed. "It seems we're in the middle of a labyrinth, Vreta'Sori. Every step we take just seems to muddle the way through even further. And now, we're introducing the biggest change to the Cradle's conditions in potentially millions of years, and I'm still not clear on what exactly will happen. I was close to piecing some things together in the simulation, but now we're out of time...How do you feel about re-entering the Cradle, after what happened last time?"</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 They met back up with 595 and most of the other suits at the chrome security checkpoint guarding access to the Mono. Freyr knew that name was out of date now; they'd replaced the old mono with a dual-rail gimbal system a hundred years ago, but all efforts to change the name had failed. Dr Wetherall never failed to gleefully retell that story after a couple of drinks. The Agent smiled with a tightly closed mouth, spreading her hands slightly to welcome them, pistol still grasped in one of them. "Safe and sound. Is this everyone?" She asked Thrace. "Some of my team are still in the HQ, to avoid concentrating everyone in one place." Freyr answered for him, stepping forwards. "They need protection tonight, while we do this." 595 nodded, then flicked her free hand at one of the suits standing by. "Double security up there - no police." "Wilco." Some of the suits set off along the bright white corridor at a fast walk. 595 watched them go, then grinned at the assembled group. "Alright. Let's get this party started, shall we? The rails are live all the way downstairs." The Agent turned and led the way through the checkpoint. Behind the checkpoint was a cavernous tunnel, half polished metal and half ancient rock. A faint breeze ruffled Freyr's hair from inside, like the breath of some mountain dragon. She buttoned up her lab coat - it was cold down below.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta kept quiet while Freyr spoke to the Agent. It was not his place to advise on security. That would not normally stop him, granted, but in this case, he did not know nearly enough about the facility to have a helpful opinion. For now, he would just have to keep sharp and aware of his surroundings. As he followed the group through the checkpoint, Rhia held off on trying to access any of the security systems in the area. Heading into the more secure areas of the spire, unsurprisingly, was accompanied by more secure systems. Rhia had little doubt that she could break through, but it was not something she wanted to do lightly. She would just have to settle for Vreta's sensory implants. As strange as the Cradle itself was, the inside of the Spire almost felt stranger to Vreta, in a way. At its core, it was a massive stone structure, but with the Humans' own technology integrated seamlessly into its architecture. He had to admit that they had done well with adapting their own creations into the original structure. Part of him wondered why they had not preserved it as an archeological site of an alien civilization. It was not as if they had not done so for other ruins on other worlds, but he supposed he already knew the answer to that. The Cradle buried underneath made this place quite exceptional. The cavernous expanse past the checkpoint was in closer to its original state than the levels above, though that was likely just because they did not need to use the space when others were easier to build in. Still, it was an impressive sight that gave sense to the scale of the spire, even from within. Vreta felt a chill against his scales as he stepped into the monorail, which he noted had two rails, for some reason. He might have normally made some comment about it, but recent events made lighthearted conversation seem like something in poor taste at the moment. The air was fine for now, though if the temperature dropped too much, he would need to rely on his thermal implant to maintain his internal temperature. He took a seat without complaint inside the sphere-shaped transport. He had done a great deal these last few weeks, but at this point, all there really was left for him was to wait and see what happened with the object.</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 Despite all the stress of the last few hours, the team stared, awestruck, around them as they walked out of the thick entryway and into the main area. The Tower of Babel was completely hollow, with a yawning expanse over their heads towards the peak and a jet-black abyss below. The deafening quiet was punctured only by the clack of their shoes and claws. An array of sensors mounted on top of a control room perched off to one side of the hole scanned the group. Freyr briefly looked and saw a technician in a white uniform at the distant controls within the brightly lit cockpit, flanked by two suited spooks with guns. More floodlights came on at that point, and gasps erupted from the group. The whole interior surface of Babel was pockmarked with ancient alien dwellings, carved from the rock. Little windows looked out onto crumbling stone terraces facing each other around the whole diameter. Freyr knew that analysis of the dwellings indicated the species which'd inhabited Babylon before them extended to just over a metre, with six legs and wings. Hardly any organic matter had been found to substantiate these creatures, and that only stretched up to a hundred thousand years before Humans arrived. As they traversed the walkway jutting out over the hole below, Freyr noticed the dual-rail system fondly dubbed the Mono. It burst out of the depths below, with rails carrying on all the way to the top, with a junction stopping at the end of the walkway. As she watched, a giant transparent orb arrived at their station along the subsidiary rails, and the doors unfurled towards them. 595 motioned with her head and the half-dozen suits that still surrounded them got in. The orb closed back up and promptly retreated back down into the depths. Not long after, a second orb appeared, and 595 motioned for the scientists to get in. "Have half your men take the next one." The Agent ordered Thrace, who nodded and picked them. 595 gestured encouragingly towards the vessel. Freyr and Vreta led the science team in - they were followed by half a dozen CraSec operators and the Agent, which made the space quite tight. Freyr sat down and fastened herself into one of the seats facing outwards, next to Vreta. "Impressive, right? They seemingly built their entire civilisation around the Cradle, just like we have." Freyr murmured - anything was better than this uneasy silence. 595 gave the control room a thumbs up, and the orb dropped silently away from the platform, taking them into the depths of Babel.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Once again, Vreta had to contend with squeezing into a seat too small for him. Agent 595 and the rest of their security detail were not prioritizing comfort when they filled the vessels, and rightly so. Protecting them from any potential threats around them certainly took precedence. Vreta had to lean back in his seat and pull his tail up between his legs just to avoid crowding the people to his left and right too much. It felt as awkward as it looked, but he did want to be considerate to them. To his understanding, Humans had a concept of "personal space" and could become agitated if it was infringed upon. Vreta turned his head down briefly towards Freyr beside him, though his gaze soon moved outwards towards the ruins as their vessel moved down deeper into the spire. He could not say he was an expert on the history of this place, but he had at least looked into publicly-available information during his study of Outremer. The vast chamber and the designs of the dwellings carved into its sides were fitting for the type of species theorized to have lived here. Though, there were details that Vreta did find curious. Construction based primarily around carving and stonework suggested a more primitive culture, yet why would a primitive civilization base themselves so completely around the Cradle? For any society without the technology to access the simulation itself, the Cradle would be little more than a strange metal sphere. He supposed he could imagine it becoming an object of religious significance, in that case, but he was not sure if even that would be enough to explain how focused those ancients had been on the Cradle. Only very small settlements had been discovered elsewhere on the planet; the majority of their populated seemed to have been here. "I wonder if they were more advanced than their dwellings would suggest? I cannot imagine the Cradle being terribly useful to primitives…unless the Cradle could reach out to them in some way?" Vreta speculated. "Has there ever been any compelling evidence to point towards the reason for their disappearance?"</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr stared out of the transparent side of the sphere as they plumbed the depths of the tower. Nearer to the spire's base, the buildings became bigger and more communal, with more elaborate carvings. Freyr remembered reading that these structures were far older - the stratification of the tower had only emerged in the final thousand years this species was around. Going significantly faster than normal, their sphere reached the bottom of the tower before slowly leveling out. They were no longer headed straight down, but rather through a large horizontal tunnel, with more alien structures all around them. Floor, walls and ceiling. The dual-rail system carefully tiptoed through the middle. Freyr gazed longingly at the sheer metal bulwarks that closed off causeways to unused parts of the ancient city. For a fleeting moment, escaping into the dark seemed like quite an attractive prospect. She coughed delicately. "They created the proto-harnesses which form the basis of today's tech. The first colonists found three of them in the Cradle's chamber, hundreds of years ago. Where they went is a subject of eternal debate." "Mama used to tell me they were still alive, hiding in the dead parts of their city." Dr Apalkov growled. "And that they'd come and take me in my sleep if I didn't eat the food she cooked."</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 Like so many things on Outremer, the trucks waiting to take them to the Vault were not designed for Rothians. This was especially true for the Datius, who ended up sitting awkwardly on the floor of the eight-wheeled transport. The vehicle was meant for twenty four Humans, but only five other people joined Rareth in the back: Vreta, Freyr, the CraSec officer who coyly reintroduced herself as Major Osman from the Cradle bomb investigation, 595 and the bald Vault Facilitator. As soon as they sat down in the lead truck, it powered away from the Mono terminal and through the bustling command complex. The inside shook violently on the uneven ground, with Osman nearly flying into Rareth with a worried expression flashing across her face. She managed to grab hold of a hoop at the last moment and stashed her weapon so she could grab one more. Freyr was pleased to see Osman again. She was a sort-of-friendly face in an otherwise uncertain sea of people. "Four, six hours, maybe? This might be our last chance to collect data, so we can't rush it." Freyr reiterated. "We will get an indication of the Object's condition once it begins interacting with our dummy array. It'll be perfectly safe, while we try to piece together what will happen next." "Don't make any sudden moves in here, Agent." The Facilitator remained completely motionless while talking to 595, who sat next to him. "Naval Intelligence, the Skinners, the Rothians, Earther scum - they're all trying to crawl up your ass to learn our next move. You can keep a secret, can't you? Just like you're keeping secrets from us about your latest interface with the Navigator." 595 turned her head to look at the man, who returned her stare. "Nice try. My report was comprehensive." She replied.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori "Hmm, I suppose you are more of an expert on this particular subject than I. My instinct would be to start this process as soon as possible, I simply hope the Object does not do anything…unexpected. There is much we do not know about it." Vreta remarked, though he reasoned that his feelings on the Object were well-known among the team by this point. Rareth did not give her opinion, whatever it might have been. Her expression was quite impenetrable, even to Vreta. He did notice the worry in one of the Humans' expression when looking at her, though that may have just been because she wanted to avoid smashing into her once their ride became more bumpy. On Rareth's part, her mass gave her substantial inertia, so she just had to keep one hand pressed to the roof to keep herself in place. In any case, Vreta quickly compared the image of Major Osman's face to examples from his memory once he heard her name. He had thought it sounded familiar. "Osman, it is good to see you fully recovered. Though, I suppose the Cradle does not leave any permanent marks, as long as you survive the initial injury. I would say that I'm surprised you're willing to go back into the Cradle after what we went through, but…here I am about to do the exact same thing. I suppose we're both just a little crazy." Vreta chuckled.</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 "Relax, champ! Let the good doctor do her work, eh? The asset is snug like a bug in a rug, as they say." The Facilitator smacked Vreta's knee heartily from across the aisle. 595 chuckled. "There's nothing to fear, we've made sure of it." He continued. Freyr stared at the two of them. Were they a couple?...Perish the thought. Osman inclined her head in a polite gesture. "Thanks. I needed therapy, but I'm in fighting shape now. Someone has to keep the lights on, don't they?" She gave off a haunted grin. "My sub-unit will protect you while you're inside the Cradle, and get you out again if things go sideways. Just a warning though - New Antioch is a ghost town right now, so bring whoever you'll need to pull levers with you. Any questions?"</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta did not seem nearly as amused as the bald man. Given his likely associations, his confidence was more unsettling than reassuring. He did not immediately understand his gesture, so he ignored it for now. "This is your planet I am concerned for. I am just trying my best to help keep it and its inhabitants safe. It is wise to search for flaws in one's own plans." As much as he wanted to learn about the man, Vreta doubted he was going to be able to gain any meaningful information. Continuing down that line of conversation would likely just be a waste of effort. He soon turned his attention to Osman instead. "I will make sure to keep that in mind. I'm guessing you know that my people like to be particularly thorough in our preparations. Some of what we have encountered in this project…our preparations have paid off before. Have you been able to read the reports of events on Rothia, Osman?" Vreta asked.</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 "Those which weren't covered in black bars." Osman purred. "The Cradle is less predictable now than when you left. We will need to keep our wits about us, and look out for each other. Like you two did for me, back when this all began. Thank you for not leaving me to die, by the way. I won't forget that." "Why did you attach her to these two? They have history." 595 asked her counterpart. "I didn't - she volunteered. Why...are you expecting problems?" "Maybe. I don't want them making more friends. Run a background check on the Major; i'll keep an eye on them in the sim." "Before you go in, the DG wants to talk to you about next steps. We need to be prepared to move fast. Do you know where the other assets are?" "You don't need to know anything about that." "If you're withholding information, there'll be very serious questions to answer" 595 didn't reply. The truck bounced one more time, before rumbling to a halt. The doors opened, and they exited out into a vehicle park outside a low building that hugged three bottom edges of the cube. Freyr's neck twinged looking up to the top, and her eyes flickered across the lifts that scaled the faces with people inside. The Vault itself was a shiny chrome colour, with darker shades indicating access plates. "The rest of the team is already inside. Shall we join them?" The Facilitator asked. Freyr nodded.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta nodded, his memory briefly returning to the start of this crisis. The first encounter with those creatures in the Cradle had been a slaughter. The weapons they used were ineffective against the toughest creatures, and none of them had been prepared for that kind of a fight. Himself least of all. This time, though, they would be going in equipped for war, and any other circumstance they could reasonably, or unreasonably, think of. He had to assume the Humans were doing the same. The Cradle was inherently unpredictable, but they were expecting to have to be adaptable this time. "Let's just hope that the people we have already lost will be the last to die to this crisis. If all goes well, this will be over soon. If not…let's just be prepared for anything." Once they had came to a stop, Rareth was the first to climb out without a word, which made it considerably easier to maneuver out of the back of the truck. She was a comforting presence for Vreta, but the quality of life issues he faced on Outremer were magnified for her tenfold. Regardless, they were at the vault now and would soon be able to get to work. Looking up at the chromed surface of the cube, Vreta did find the vault to be impressive for a Human construct. They put their best into anything related to the Cradle, which certainly underscored its importance to them. "Yes, let's hurry. I still think we should avoid any delays we can."</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang They all trooped into the Vault access building. It acted as a control centre for all signals interacting with and being extracted from the Cradle, and more recently, the new asset found on Rothia. It was buzzing with activity, as hundreds of people worked to maintain the Vault's unique homeostasis. The Facilitator led them through the fray to a set of heavy blast doors down a narrow corridor, guarded by half a dozen heavily-armoured CraSec troopers and two drone-cannons. Sensors scanned the group one by one from all around, filling the air with green lasers. "Ordinarily, weapons are not allowed inside the Vault. But since our esteemed Rothian guests are part-weapon, we've decided to make an exception just this once." The Facilitator pontificated before the blast doors swished open. Freyr walked into the airlock along with some others and raised her arms. Decontamination jets sprayed them from all angles, but Freyr's gaze was fixed straight ahead of her. The next few hours could determine the fate of Outremer, did she really have what it took? Could she trust herself to stand by her oath to champion the greater good? No one appeared prepared to stop her if she couldn't. The opposite door of the airlock hissed open, and the first group walked out into the lab. Nestled on the inside of the Vault's thick mechanical skin, Freyr smiled when she caught sight of team members she hadn't seen in weeks. They were similarly busy to the people outside, scurrying between banks of consoles under sickly blue light. CraSec guards and suits carrying close-quarter rifles were everywhere, watching on. Freyr's mouth dropped open involuntarily when her gaze shifted to the large, incredibly thick viewing port on one wall. It afforded them an uncomfortably close view of the Rothian Object, which hung eerily suspended inside the staging area. Like the feed Freyr had seen earlier, it was so black that light didn't reveal its spherical nature; rather it appeared as a black hole in the wall behind it. A low humming sound trickled through the speakers listening to it. "She's a beauty, ain't she?" The Facilitator cooed, walking around Freyr. "Dear gods." Dr Wetherall muttered from behind her.</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang "I can't sanction that." Freyr shook her head immediately. "The Cradle is nothing like the Rothia Sim for AIs - it's utterly unforgiving. However advanced you think you are, it will find a way to consume you. We can't risk it. I'm sorry." "Power expenditure rising!" Someone called out. Freyr's gaze snapped away from Nirann immediately and identified who was reporting in. "Show me." She commanded, moving quickly across the blue-lit room to a long row of consoles facing the Object's porthole. The young researcher pulled up a larger graph showing energy the Object was deploying inside its hermetic chamber. It was still tiny by comparison to the Cradle, but its effort was tightly controlled, and no longer seemed intent on the dummy array. "It's sniffing the partition again. How does it know where the Cradle is?" They speculated, incredulous. Absolutely no signals from the Cradle could escape the confines of the Vault. The only way out for its emissions was through the nest of filters and comms equipment on the top face. "It's much cleverer than all of us." Freyr concluded, poring over the details. "The engineers just sent their report; they can't keep the doors closed indefinitely." Dr Wetherall shot Freyr a serious stare from across the room. She nodded. "The countermeasures were worth a shot, but I'm afraid we need to go in right away." Freyr straightened up, levelling a troubled look at Marae before and clapping her hands loudly. "Ok listen up!" She shouted over a growing hum from machinery built into the walls and floors all around them. "I'm our timeline forward. Get set for doors open in one hour! Those of you entering the Cradle with me, be ready in the Green Room in five! Facilitator, inform upstairs to initiate the Sliske protocol, right now." The bald man, sweating a bit, nodded before grabbing a hardline and began keying in a passcode immediately Freyr then turned back to Marae. "Can you hold things down here while I go in?"</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Nirann was about to argue with Freyr. In terms of the structure of his mind, there was not much to separate him from the average Rothian. If the Cradle could corrupt his mind, then it could corrupt any organic mind as well. If he was being honest with himself, he worried that might have been true. In any case, the alerts that their sensors were receiving from the object put an end to his argument before he could start it. The Object was not going to wait on them to make their decision. He understood as well as any of them that they needed to act quickly, and whether he was right or not, they could not afford to waste time with the discussion. He could still have plenty of impact directing their systems externally. If he could breathe, he would have sighed, but did give a slight nod towards Marae. "We'll be able to handle things here. We'll stay in communications as much as we can, and we'll be sending you in with all the portable equipment we've developed during this project. And again, I do hope you consider enabling my protocols. Ideally none of you will need them, but…well, it can't hurt, right?" Marae replied. Vreta actually found himself feeling proud of Freyr for how she was taking charge, despite all the uncertainty surrounding the situation. Even with his own misgivings about the plan, he was ready to follow through with it. He stood by Freyr, ready to move to the Green Room as soon as someone told him where that was. Freyr's orders were all Eti and her team needed to spring into action as well. Given the chaos ever since their landing, the Human and Rothian teams had not been given much of a chance to coordinate, so they may have been unaware that Rareth was assigning the Rothian soldiers to the mission as well. Her armored footsteps echoed even more loudly through the room than Nirann's had. "My team stands ready. Just point us where to go."</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 Freyr smiled, pathetically grateful for Marae's calming demeanor. It felt like right now, she was at the tip of a titanic spear, moving wildly of its own volition. With the Sliske protocol now being activated, she knew Outremer's entire infrastructure would rapidly be locked down in preparation for potential volatility. This highly choreographed chain of events had been planned by Outremer's civil service at breakneck speed over the last few months. Freyr briefly regretted not ringing President DeWinter herself, to plead again for an evacuation. She wondered where the head of the government was right now. In a bunker somewhere, dealing with a bombing and potential disintegration of Outreman society? Contemplating martial law? It didn't matter now. She had her instructions, and the authority. She just had to do her best now. "Yes, thank you. We'll use them." Freyr replied to Marae. "The Facilitator will know the Vault inside out, I presume. Use him if you need him. Let's keep comms tight, alright?" She turned to look at the Rothian soldiers taking up space in her already crowded command centre. "Osman, would you take these guys to the Green Room please? Get them settled in. You two as well." Freyr looked at 595 and Vreta'Sori at this point. 595 looked at the Facilitator, who was currently still on the phone. "There's no time for that call with the DG. Let him know I'll come in once the dust has settled here. Proceed with the plan until then." The bald man glared at her. "Alright. Don't screw this up." 595 nodded in response. The Green room was long, thin and tight, with a belt of extremely robust vertical harnesses facing an equally thin observation room through a thick glass screen. 595 applied the same dark red clay to her face in a spiral pattern, starting in the divot between her nose and upper lip. She then let the technicians connect her up to her harness next to Vreta and Osman. Her mind was racing underneath the calm exterior. It was finally happening. "This is history in the making, girls and boys." She announced over the thunderous background noise. "Let's put on a show." Freyr walked in, having made last-minute preparations with her team, and got secured. "Good luck everyone." she transmitted, just before the harnesses initiated.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta was as ready as he was ever going to be. Eti as well gathered up the other four members of her team. Now that they did not have power to be concerned about, she could bring in her fireteam at its full strength. Whatever might happen, Vreta did feel more comfortable having them present to help. From his understanding, the Humans already had their own security present in the simulation, but they could act as a force multiplier if the Cradle creatures they encountered before showed themselves again. The Green Room had already been prepared with the Rothians' harnesses, so there were no more delays. It was at least more comfortable than trying to use a setup sized for a Human; he doubted soldiers like Eti would even be able to fit on the table of a Human's harness. Comfort aside, using their own designs was also the only way they could be sure they could keep the designs of their technology secure. --- From Vreta's perspective, leaving reality came suddenly as soon as the harnesses were initiated. The transition was smoother into the Cradle than it had been for the Object on Rothia, though they had the benefit of centuries of Human refinement on that process. Even once they resolved the language issue, there were some minor differences in the Object's processes that could make such transitions a bit jarring. Still, even if he had been feeling worse, Vreta would have pushed himself through regardless. Now that they were in the simulation, only Vreta's size set him apart from the Rothian soldiers around him. They had all been given full suits of powered armor and military-grade infantry weapons. It wasn't the first time Vreta had worn this armor even in recent memory, but it still felt strange to him to have cause to use it. One thing he was sure of was that it felt amazing just to move around in the suit, particularly with how it could assist movement. For proper soldiers, its shield emitters could link with energy shield implants in the soldier's own body to further enhance its defensive properties. Vreta lacked such implants, though the suit's defenses were still more than formidable on their own. Once Rhia linked in with the suit's systems, its silver-colored plating could become like a second skin to him to eliminate any potential detriments to agility or dexterity. The location to which the team had transited was the city of New Antioch, though it hardly felt like a city any longer. The buildings still stood, mostly as they had been left, but without its former inhabitants, it was more like a town of ghosts. Vreta still vividly remembered the attack he had suffered during his last visit to the city, and how suddenly it had all happened. It was like a switch was flipped, and the creatures were all around them. For now, though, the only beings around them on their arrival were the Human soldiers. The transit station at which they had arrived was now more of a military checkpoint, with fortifications in all directions and more than enough soldiers to guard them.</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang They were in one corner of Foundation Square; a large paved area surrounding an urban park. The statue of Outremer's first colonists raising a flag together emerged from the tree line. New Antioch was still brightly lit from above by large floodlights. The golden domes and spires still stood. But Freyr couldn't make out any of the city's usual hustle and bustle. The purposeful movement of staff between the ancient buildings had been replaced by a febrile mass of soldiers out on the street. Freyr checked that her team had logged in and were feeling alright. She'd brought in Dr Wetherall and his understudy as Systems experts, and the promising young researcher Dr Girard. She was confident they could all be trusted to follow instructions. If the worst came, they'd have the best chance of holding the creature flat while she struck the killer blow. Hopefully it wouldn't come to that, but it was best to be prepared for anything. "Okay, attention please." Osman strode over to a map table and projected a hologram of the city in 3D. "We've secured the places each team needs to go. There are two convoys waiting outside to get you in position." The map showed two arrows, one red and one blue, winding through the streets before arriving at two separate buildings. "Dr Lang, I will ride with you. Sergeant Thrace will ride with Dr Wetherall. Once your work is complete, we will exfil via this same checkpoint, or secure secondary locations." Osman put a hand on her chestplate. "Our role is to keep you alive, so please follow all our instructions." Major Osman turned to the squad of Rothians. "We weren't told about Rothian support. What do you want to do?"</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Osman threw Freyr back into the checkpoint's transit station and keyed in an emergency extraction from a nearby panel. Nothing happened. The rending squeal issuing from all around them ceased as quickly as it had begun. Activating comms out loud so everyone could hear, Osman called the Bridge District. "Theta Company, report!". Heavily distorted shouts and warbles answered her. "Come in!". "These things love running interference, don't they?" Dr Wetherall whined, massaging the back of his head while struggling to his feet. Osman ignored him. "The transit network is down, and comms are funny…" She looked at the map again, refreshing the energy chart. Massive ripples ringed the Bridge, with other smaller hotspots all over the city. "Thrace, get down there right away. They need help. Take them with you. We stick to the mission!" Osman ordered. The gruff, grey-haired soldier saluted, before grabbing Dr Wetherall and his understudy. He motioned for Void Company to follow him out of the tent. Osman marched back to the transit station, where Freyr had stood up and was staggering weakly towards her. Osman grabbed the Doctor and held her up. "Vreta'Sori, Dr Girard, take the Agent out to the convoy. Move!" The Agent in question was on all fours by the map table, just finished with throwing up a small puddle of viscous liquid.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Rhia did everything she could to help get Vreta ready and alert as quickly as she could. Her understanding and control of his brain allowed her to dull his headache, as well as manipulating his adrenal response and nanites to get him moving quickly. Of course, fighting nature usually came at a cost, but it was up to her to make sure he never felt it. They had the mission ahead of them, and at this point, no choice but to complete it. Following Osman's direction, Vreta approached Agent 595 at the map table. While Dr. Girard did seem ready and willing to help, Vreta found it far easier to simply reach down, grab her carefully under her shoulders and legs, and lift her up into his arms himself. Her armor added weight, but not so much that it would be difficult for him to carry her. Weight efficiency was as much of a design consideration for Humans as it was for Rothians, after all. Vreta quickly carried the Agent with him into the back of one of the convoy's armored vehicles. It was an even more cramped space than the monorail for him as he had to keep hunched over at all times just to fit his head under the roof, and no matter how he angled his knees they still dug into the seat in front of him. This time, though, his mind barely registered such inconveniences. Void Company, meanwhile, had even more urgency to their mission now. The Bridge was the most likely means by which they could regain their full connection to the outside world, so reclaiming control over it was vital. None of the five even bothered to attempt to use one of the smaller armored vehicle, instead moving straight to ride on the outside of one of the tanks. "Mar, keep your head on a swivel." Eti remarked as they climbed up onto the vehicle. For an infantry-portable system, her sensory suite was second-to-none, though based on the reports they had read, danger could come in unexpected forms within these simulations. They could not ignore anything that might become a threat.</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 Since the Cradle had never permitted flight over a certain altitude, the area colonised by Humans had a road network more reminiscent of Earth than Outremer. The last six months had re-energised a military industrial complex previously engrossed by spaceships to deliver first-class land vehicles for CraSec. The convoys waiting to take the teams in different directions used state of the art hover-mobility. Instead of wheels, the vehicles had powerful magnetic emitters which kept them just a few feet off the road. Freyr almost didn't realise they were vehicles in her groggy state. Even the tanks at either end of the column were almost completely silent. She let Osman chuck her into the back of an armoured car, next to Dr Girard and behind Vreta and Agent 595. The Major then jogged around the back and got into the opposite passenger seat. "Ok, allons'y! Package secure. Callsign Tangier, you have a green light to proceed." With just a gentle hum, the convoy began powering forwards out of the checkpoint. Osman checked the clock on her HUD. They were running behind schedule already. She turned around in her seat to check out the passengers behind her. "Everybody alright? There is water in the door compartment." 595 leaned forward and threw up again on her armoured feet. She followed up by spitting out a wad of phlegm, then wiping her mouth. "It's kicking my butt, what was that?" Dr Girard pulled the stopper out of one of the water bottles and placed it in Freyr's shaking hands. "We talked about this as a possibility; that the Cradle and the Object could communicate through us in a more immediate way, like neurons moving through a synapse. You all went inside the Object on Rothia, correct?" The convoy took a sharp right, heading off the square and onto one of New Antioch's main artery roads. Freyr drank deeply from the bottle, then, feeling hot, she poured some on her upturned face. She wasn't listening to anyone in the car; she was still trying to figure out the voice, or feeling, that'd washed over her in those few seconds back in the tent. Why did it feel so familiar?</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta's helmet did make it easier for him to hide his general discomfort. It felt hard to concentrate, though Rhia could certainly help mitigate the physical issues he was feeling. Yet again, they were facing consequences of the unknowns they were being forced to work with. There was far more recklessness in many of the plans they had gone through with than he would ever normally be comfortable with, were he the one making the decisions. At the very least, Vreta could still focus enough to pay attention to what was being said around him. Could the Object be responsible for this, or was it something within the Cradle? Dr. Girard suggested the Object might be able to communicate with the Cradle in some way using their own minds. It was a possibility, through Vreta could imagine other scenarios where such advanced objects could bypass conventional barriers. It was a less worrying possibility, though unfortunately, not one that Vreta found especially likely. "Hmm, I don't know the specifications of your vault, but I have to assume it is able to be…sealed against any type of signal known to you. I wouldn't expect you to put any…less than your best into it." Vreta remarked, still catching his breath somewhat. "I suppose there may be possibilities that our minds may not be the vector. What might work over short distances…quantum tunneling, perhaps? Though, manipulating probability fields to force tunneling across more than a few nanometers is quite a difficult task. A wormhole, perhaps on a microscopic scale, could also accomplish the same thing. The risk of causing damage with one of that scale would be minimal, even if opening it blind. Still, your proposal does seem the most likely. I just wonder what message has been sent?"</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Dr Girard nodded in general agreement, leaning forward to poke her head through the gap in the seats. "We really are in uncharted territory now, so all possibilities must remain on the table. As for what they said, we all know the Cradle and the Rothian Object are prolific data managers. They could've 'said' everything that's happened in all our lifetimes, including minute detail on the last six hours...Are you alright? You sound breathless." "Tangier Two, come in, over." Osman said out loud from the front. No reply. "GCHQ, what's your status, over?" A painful screech and warble blasted the inside of the car. "GCHQ, we're getting a lot of interference this end, please repeat." Osman said, before turning to face Vreta. "Try your friends." "We really need to figure out a better way to communicate. Both of these environments seem to block radio signals at will." Freyr mumbled to herself, nursing her head. Suddenly, the driver swore and swerved to avoid someone running out in front of them. Freyr and Dr Girard both shouted in fright. Gunfire erupted from the grand entranceway to one of the blocks on their left. "They're here! Help us!" The runner screamed.</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr's apprehension grew as they scaled another set of stairs towards the top floor. The whole building felt like it was raring to get up and move on its own; a low hum vibrated the inside of her head like they were underwater. The stairwell was pitch black, so she relied heavily on her suit's night vision to see where she was going. She could just make out scattered debris and bloodstains on the steps in front of her. Freyr focused on breathing in and out, trying to remain level-headed. They'd made it this far, hadn't they? In no small part due to her armed escort. She was grateful to them, even if they scared her too sometimes. The next floor was also full of operations workspace. They fanned out slightly. Freyr rushed over to one of the blood stained GCHQ staffers as soon as she spotted them. Their sallow complexion shone with sweat in the flickering light of the monitors in front of them. "Hey, can you hear me?" Freyr asked, peeling back her suit visor so they could see her face. "It's alright, we're going to get you some help, we…" Freyr's voice tailed off when she noticed what was on screen. It looked like camera footage from someone's eyes, looking at an angry but elegantly dressed woman shouting at them from across a wide kitchen table. Sound trickled out of the console's speakers, which Freyr strained to hear. "What are you doing? That's my gun! What is this?" The woman pointed to something off screen. The camera panned until a man with white hair and olive skin appeared, holding a pistol upside down by the trigger guard with his pinkie. "You're a potential suicide risk." the man said, apologetically. "How did you find that?!" The woman shouted at him. She turned to the camera. "How did he find that?!" "Selene." another woman's voice warned, from behind the camera. "No! No! Okay! This meeting's now over! I want you both out of here, right now!" Freyr looked up, blinking to clear her rapidly blurring eyesight. The pressure in her head was getting really uncomfortable. Meeting rooms branched off from this wide street, and the usual conference tables were juxtaposed with strange scenes, all viewed as though eyes or imagined inside someone's head. Lurid colours seemed to generate their own light in the darkness. "Selene…" "No! He has been snooping around my house!" Doctor Shearing, I want to sign off here today! I want to let you get on that starship! But you have gotta help us out! I need to know that you are calm and safe before I leave here, and I need to know that you understand the rules before you go to Earth. Please, just…please, sit down. And let us get through our questions." The woman looked torn, for a moment. Freyr wiped her eyes, leaning in. Finally, they responded. "Okay." The elegant woman headed to the chair at the head of the kitchen table, that the camera woman had gestured. The camera looked at Gene and nodded. Connie reached over and grabbed the GCHQ staffer out of their chair with one arm. The monitors all went black. "Wait...moving them might-" Freyr mumbled. Connie gave the unresponsive person a hard slap across the face. Instead of waking up, they crumpled to the floor.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Sharing a mind as they did, Vreta and Rhia also shared the discomfort of whatever was happening around them. It was not quite what he would describe as a headache, though it was no more comfortable than that. His mind was "busy", like he was constantly in intense thought, but was not experiencing any of the thoughts himself. What Rhia felt was even more bizarre, without even considering what the group as a whole was witnessing. The Human staffers were alive, but quite clearly incapacitated. None of them even acknowledged the team as they moved through the building. Freyr was the one who stopped to try and help one of them, but they were no more responsive even with interacted with directly. The scene that played out on the monitors looked and felt like some of the memories that had been forced into their own mind. It perhaps could have been one of the staffer's own memories, displayed for all to see, for reasons Vreta did not understand. The distinguishing features of one of the Humans in the memory looked an awful lot like one of the Humans who had joined them, Gene. Was the woman just projecting what she saw around her onto the memory, or had he actually been present for it? Regardless, Connie's attempt to move the staffer did not seem to help. As for the memory itself, Vreta did not have the context to truly understand its meaning, but this woman had clearly gone through something taxing to her mental health, and perhaps something relating to the Human homeworld. "We…need to keep moving." Vreta finally remarked. "We can't afford the delay. Maybe once we get to our objective, we'll be able to help all these people at once?" Unfortunately, no matter which direction they went, they would not be able to avoid the bizarre occurrences around them. As they started to pass one nearby room, Vreta's eye caught something even he could not ignore through the glass. It was a memory, like the staffer's, though not one that was as "clear." It was also not one of the Humans'. The scene played out with just a few people and objects projected from the memory itself, while all of the office's furniture was still visible, but ignored. There was a Rothian, medical gantry in the middle of the room, slightly phased into an office table on the far end. Strangely, it was not a Rothian on the gantry, but rather a Rothian security droid. Quite an old model, by appearances. Slowly, the droid sat up, while a male Rothian looked on taking notes. He looked like he was speaking, but strangely, the words they heard were muffled and mostly indistinct. With some direction from the Rothian, the droid held out one hand towards a device next to the gantry, though its focus seemed elsewhere. When its hand drew close enough, the device delivered a small electric shock to one of its fingers, and unlike a normal droid, its hand actually recoiled on reflex. There were more muffled words from the Rothian observing that grew louder and louder until, finally, they came in clearly. "Agent! Are you listening? I understand this is a lot at once, but it's important that I know how it feels." He said firmly. The droid looked down at its hand, clenching and opening it a few times. "Like it's mine."</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr was having a really hard time seeing straight as they stumbled through the vast operations space. It seemed the only things that weren't wobbling uncontrollably were memories or visions playing out all around them; they were becoming clearer by the second. The rest of the space felt like something out of a dream to her, blurred and intangible. Freyr was vaguely aware of the team around her - they appeared to be struggling as well. Gene put a hand out for a desk to lean on, misjudged it and crashed over, knocking things onto the floor. He rolled over and looked at Freyr, and instantly she was back in the kitchen she'd seen earlier. She was on the opposite side of the table, beside the elegantly dressed woman. Across the table she recognised Connie, gesturing to a seat at the head of the table and nodding encouragingly. "Okay." This 'Doctor Shearing' sighed, moving to sit down. Gene followed her, gun balanced on his pinkie finger. Connie smiled down on the doctor when she got comfortable, then her smile faded. She nodded at Gene, and he moved forward. Quickly, they trapped Dr Shearing's feet against the thin wooden legs of the chair and grabbed a wrist each. She shouted, confused. "Get off! What is this?!" Connie looked over at Gene above the struggling woman. "Ready?" "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" "Close." Freyr heard, as the man prised open Dr Shearing's hand and placed the gun in her palm, pointed straight up. "Set?" Connie asked. "HEY, GET OFF ME!!" Gene used her finger to activate the weapon. "Set!" He began bending her forearm down until the shivering gun pointed at her head. "Go!" Freyr wanted to look away but couldn't. Her field of view was glued to his. She tried to speak, to yell out, but couldn't. All she could manage was a confused burble in the real world. Eventually, she fell to her knees, then face planted the ground and sank into blackness.</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta could not exactly bring himself to sleep, especially with the headache he had. Though, he did take some time to at least let himself relax while Rhia got to work medicating him. She was able to do a reasonably good job of soothing his headache, as well as calming his nerves to some extent. Although, there was no medication that could help with stress for Rhia herself. Software-based solutions did exist that could assist AI with mental stress, but Rhia wanted to make sure her mind was clear and focused for whatever might be ahead. Outwardly, Vreta found a place to sit down and rest for a few hours, though he, Rhia, and Rareth communicated privately about everything that had transpired. With the exception of some events at the very end, they all had Vreta's recording to review. Of particular concern to them was the attack by Human assailants that ambushed their convoy. They were well-armed, and clearly had their own harnesses, under their own control, with which to enter the Cradle. They also had access to technology which could manipulate the simulation itself, which supposedly should have been out of reach to those the Outremer government did not trust. This was not a terrorist attack by Skinner radicals. For the attack to have happened implied a great deal more division or corruption among the Outremer government than even the Rothians had suspected. Rareth joined the Facilitator as soon as he grabbed her attention. "Understood." She replied simply. Without hesitation, she sent a quick message to Nirann to give Void Company their orders to evacuate. Though, she certainly still had more to say to the Facilitator. "Very well. I do approve of moving the science team somewhere more secure." She said, speaking to him quietly. "But I will just say it plain, I want Rothian security on-site as well. Forget protocol, forget pride, forget 'optics', we need to keep our people safe. There have been two terrorist attacks, and an ambush by Human assailants within the last few hours. They had builder tech, for Eternity's sake; the factions that oppose us have infiltrated to the very core of your government. Maybe you trust your own people, but unless you're planning on depriving your Vault of a substantial number of security personnel, you and I both know you are going to need more manpower, and Rothian forces are the only ones we know have not been compromised."</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang The Facilitator stared soberly up at Rareth - an eyebrow twitched. He mopped his sweaty brow with the cloth again. "I'll see what I can do. A friendly word of advice though: you should get your people off-world before things turn really ugly. This isn't even close to being over, believe me." He pointed at the TV. The picture showed Group Admiral Hale, who they'd met at a previous conference, addressing a cloud of journo-drones via secure uplink. "-bring the perpetrators to justice. Please allow our law enforcement and civilian services agencies do their work, and remain in your-" The Facilitator brought the hardline up to his ear again. "Go for the Vault…Code please…Confirmed. I'll send them up - make sure you're ready." He put the phone down and called loudly into the room. "CRD, Rothian delegates, pack your things! You're heading out in FIVE minutes! Sergeant Skopec, assemble your team. You're going up with them." --- Freyr would've argued harder to remain in the Vault, where they could make a real difference, if she'd been able. But she felt too groggy after her sleep to put up much of a fight. A headache split her right down the middle, so the most she could do was hold back the endless waves of nausea and stay close to Dr Wetherall as they scrambled to evacuate the Vault. A coterie of anonymous technicians filed in to take up posts left by her team. "Come, my dear. Let's go and get you some fresh air." Dr Wetherall soothed, offering an arm for support as they left the control room. She looked back one last time at the picture of the Cradle hanging in the air, the Navigator spinning slower around it. She hoped it wouldn't be the last time she could lay eyes on it. --- The ride up to the surface was somehow even more tense than the journey down. The camp outside the Vault was buzzing with activity, with all manner of vehicle speeding about. Black-clad soldiers were everywhere, scanning CraSec forces and loading them into troop transports. Freyr started when she thought she saw 595 in the throng as they drove through, but it was just a man wearing very similar armour. He was standing in the middle of a melee of soldiers and giving orders, pistol drawn and tapping impatiently at his thigh. The rail system out of the Vault complex and up towards the surface was jam packed with soldiers and civilian personnel. Freyr realised at that point that her team was no longer the most important piece of the puzzle. She exchanged a concerned look with Vreta, who seemed to always be hovering nearby. --- At least fifty heavily armed operators, led by Sergeant Skopec, surrounded them on their way through Babel Tower to their exfil pad. It was a couple of hours before dawn now, and the wind bit at Freyr as they finally arrived in an open-air hangar where four armoured transports waited. The front and back vehicles were already full, so they all piled into the third one and they took off almost before everyone had strapped into a jumpseat. Through the open (but shielded) doors at the back, Freyr just about made out a cloud of drones following them into the air. They banked out of the hangar in tight formation. Freyr caught a glimpse of black smoke from the Parliament estate billowing into the night air, against a backdrop of Outremer's moon. Many of the city's lights were still on, presumably with people unable to sleep after recent events. She felt no such issue anymore. Despite the bitter cold in the transport, sleep tugged at her like a comforting blanket. Her eyelids drooped as she crossed her arms and leaned her head against Dr Wetherall's shoulder. "Wake me when you need me." She slurred, as everything went black. END OF PART ONE</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta gazed out the back of the transport at the landscape beneath them, even as they drew nearer to their destination. From what he could see from the sky, there were thick, tropical rainforests all beneath him, dispersed between clusters of rolling mountains. It actually reminded him of parts of Rothia where the mountains were older and more weathered. It was a pleasant kind of environment, in his opinion. The heat of the tropics was always welcome for Rothians, and forests were always teeming with exotic alien life. There was certainly a part of him that wished he could be here under different circumstances, as he was not sure if there would be any chance to rest. Despite the distance between the cities, the flight to Réunion was measured in minutes, especially with the priority given to them as passengers on a government dropship. It did not take long for the pilot to notify them that they would be coming in for a landing shortly. Observing forward through the external cameras gave Vreta a new sight to admire in the form of the city itself. It was a layered city arranged across three mesas, on the edge of a large lake. A river flowing down from the mountains created multiple waterfalls to tie together the idyllic scenery. The city itself, again, gave Vreta some reminders of home. It was a massive city in every respect, well-maintained, with a skyline that showed an appreciation for aesthetics just as much as function. In some ways, it seemed like it stood as a part of the natural landscape, rather than being in opposition to it. When the transport came in, it landed on a pad on the smallest and highest of the mesas. They were high up, even above some of the clouds, so the air was cooler than Vreta might have preferred. Still, that was hardly a priority at the moment. After all they had been through, Vreta just wanted to get some rest, though it seemed that Freyr was certainly way ahead of him in that regard. She had fallen fast asleep on the way. Once on the ground, Vreta finally stood from his seat and approached Freyr and Dr. Whetherall. There had been such a short time aboard the transport that he did not particularly want to wake her so soon, so he glanced down at Dr. Whetherall. "I can carry her, if we don't want to disturb her." He remarked. After unbuckling her harness, Vreta slowly hoisted Freyr up into his arms so as not to wake her. He had the strength to handle her weight with ease, so it was no meaningful burden to him to carry her around.</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang "Daddy, Do you see that? Open your eyes." "Don't look at it baby. Don't look at the lights. They aren't real. "It's Mummy!! Mummy help us!" … "Freyr!" --- Freyr woke with a start, plastered in sweat despite the air conditioning. She grabbed at the cosy blanket over her and jerked upright, completely disoriented. Brushing hair out of her face, she took in the sumptuous double bedroom. In front of her was a big walk in shower, and to her left was a closed door. The wall to her right was entirely composed of glass, and after rolling up the blinds Freyr put a hand up to shield from the bright afternoon sunshine. Eventually the windows adjusted to dampen the light, and she finally remembered where she was. Réunion unfolded like an intricate origami figure below her. Three stepping stones down to the azure blue lake, adorned with elegant arcologies, hydro-dams and decadent tropical parks. Mist and clouds floated about the mountain peaks on either side of the city and the opposite side of the lake. She made out brightly coloured sails from the multitude of yachts racing out on the mirror-calm waters. Freyr felt her heartbeat return to normal, and sighed. She'd always meant to bring Amy here. She'd visited once on department business and knew straight away her little girl would've loved the water. There was a knock at the door. "Come in." Freyr called, maneuvering her legs off the side of the bed. She was fully clothed except for her shoes and jacket. There was a click outside, footsteps and then another click, and then another click. The door to her left open a crack. "Everyone decent in here?" A familiar voice asked. "Yes. Come on in." Masgard Xandrus' handsome bearded face appeared around the door and smiled. His freshly suited body followed, along with a tray of food and a glass of pink juice. "I tried to remember the last time you ate something, and couldn't. So i brought you breakfast, or should i say dinner?" Xandrus chuckled, approaching the bed.</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr sighed. It felt like they were getting ahead of themselves again. "Gentlemen, I don't believe this is the forum to discuss how we're going to do things, but rather to establish what we're going to do." She looked at the clock - somehow they had been talking for hours already. Freyr hadn't gotten exactly what she wanted out of the engagement, and suspected part of the reason for that would be all the recent terror and upheaval. People still hadn't had enough time to synthesise all the information. "Let's leave it there for today…I think we can all agree that we've been through a traumatic experience. So I want people to be kind to each other, and take time out to consider what's happened objectively." Freyr slurped her coffee, and met the eyes of some people. You could hear a pin drop in the room. "We may be standing on the precipice of something beyond even our wildest imaginings. So I also want you all to consider what is best for the people we serve. This is not just about scientific discovery anymore; however vast that opportunity is. Billions of lives are potentially at risk, trillions even. Untold thousands are already gone, totally invested in a saga which I fear will paint the galactic canvas for millenia. Now go, relax. We'll regroup tomorrow." --- The days immediately following the meeting seemed to blur together. There was no big debriefing from the government, and indeed very little contact from the outside world. The teams worked hard to make sense of the mountain of data pulled out of the Cradle, with little else to occupy them. Their safehouse encompassed the top twelve floors of a tower on the east edge of an enormous arcology, but the Outreman scientists were forbidden from exploring the rest of it, or the city below. With little else to occupy them, the teams worked hard to make sense of the mountain of data pulled out of the Cradle. In between sessions, Freyr paced the corridors while reading the news. She investigated every aspect of the leisure level sampling the bounty of delicacies on offer. But after less than a week, she had seen everything there was to see inside. And then she discovered OCI controlled the garden ringing this cupola they inhabited. Skopec was adamant that no one could go down there, to begin with. But after a full-on shouting match, he relented, and they got their garden. Réunion was hot and humid, even at night, which made a nice change from the dry cool inside. A light breeze ruffled the carefully manicured shrubs and trees lining the walkway around the edge of their building. Warm rain pattered down on the concrete pathways. Freyr stood by the parapet, looking down at the glittering lights of the city cascading towards the sea. She sucked vapour from a soothe stick and blew it out in a tight plume above her head. She took in the flat hoverbot whirred above her head, protecting her from the rain. Eventually,Freyr reached into one pocket and retrieved a hard copy of David & Amy's picture. She studied it hard in the half-dark, trying to memorise every detail of their faces. She had a great memory for data, but struggled with faces. And it was becoming harder to recall them without help, and she hated that.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori For the most part, both the Human and Rothian teams worked as much as they could with the resources they had available to them. There was no shortage of data for them to sort through, but they lacked a proper lab setup at the moment. Still, with such a high concentration of brilliant scientists in one space, they were able to come up with solutions to stay productive. Nirann donated some of his processing power to running analysis or simulations when needed. Within Vreta's mind, he had Rhia sort through every bit of data storage he had to search for any information the Navigator might have left behind for him. Through communication with Rareth, Vreta was kept up-to-date on her negotiations with the new Outremer administration, though he was not yet privy to how the Rahn'Saki was responding back home. He did expect that they were making their own plans and arranging contingencies for actions that Outremer might take. As obscure as the Rahn'Saki's motivations were, he had never known them to face a situation unprepared. In the meantime, while Rareth herself was generally dealing with negotiations in person, she had sent Void Company to the arcology to serve as the Rothian contribution to their security. Having a team of Rothian supersoldiers on-hand was a comfort, at least. --- Freyr was not alone out in the garden, even aside from the guards that were always present in seemingly every part of the building. Marae'Ano had decided to take a walk outside as well. Ever since they had gained access to the garden, it had been a popular spot for the Rothian team members. They tended to enjoy the heat, and Marae did not seem to be agitated by the rain in the slightest. She did not even bother with keeping overhead cover, instead allowing the rain to simply slide from her waterproof scales. As long as the water was warm, it was actually a reasonably pleasant feeling. The rain did serve to somewhat muffle Marae's footsteps as she approached behind Freyr. "Hello, Dr. Lang. Do you mind if I join you?" She asked, though her eyes were soon drawn to the picture she was holding. "Is that your family?"</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr half looked round when Marae spoke, soothe stick inches from her mouth. "Oh, uhh…sure." She took a puff, and blew a cloud of vapour over the image she now held in both hands. "Yep…That's David my husband, and Amy my daughter. I think we'd just spent the day watching the Deng-tsai circuit back in Babylon." Freyr raised the two fingers clutching her soothe stick and waved them round in a circle. "Race cars, shooting around skyscrapers in the city centre. Amy loved it, wouldn't stop talking about it. I think David secretly hated it, but enjoyed seeing us happy all the same." She fell silent, bit her lip. "Do you have any children, Marae?" An Institute operator padded past them on patrol, holographic sight scanning the sky above.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Now that she had been invited, Marae stepped up alongside Freyr near the parapet, looking out over the city. There was a grin in her expression as Freyr was talking about her own family, though she showed some brief discomfort when Freyr asked her about children. "Oh, I…no, I've never been approved for reproductive privileges. I've applied, but if I'm being honest with myself, I'm not likely to ever be approved. My genetics fail to meet a lot of standards. Lung function, cardiovascular health, immune responses…it's all things that have been medically corrected, but you can't fool your genes, and genetic therapy can only go so far. It's the same for a lot of Rothians my age, though. We come from a time before the Rothian genome had been so drastically improved." After a moment, Marae did start to smile again as her mind drifted back to some more pleasant memories. "Of course, my genetics didn't stop me from creating life. The first true Rothian AI…I would say she was like my child in every way that mattered. I brought her into the world, though it required a lot more mathematics than the usual method." She chuckled. "I raised her too. Back then, most Rothian hatchlings were raised by their own parents, and I suppose I got to experience the same thing. It might have been a bit easier, though. You can't exactly tweak the algorithms in an organic child's brain if they are learning the wrong lessons."</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr studied Marae as she spoke in a faint residual light. She felt sorry for the Rothian when she detected a hint of kindred sadness in that alien frame. Her read of their general body language was improving, she subconsciously noted. "Our species are quite alike once you peel back the layers. We both crave sublimity - but no one ever stops to consider what we lose along the way." Freyr sighed, taking another drag and looking back over Réunion. It was late in the evening, but most of the city below them was still bathed in bright neon light. These blues and pinks rippled out across the dark stillness of the vast lake to mingle with bright pricks from yachts on the water. Though not as bright, Freyr thought she could see cars whizzing around below, by the temporary dip in glare from the structures behind them. Like some planet passing in front of a distant star. When Marae began talking about AI, Freyr couldn't help but take interest. The person standing next to her was the foremost authority in pure machine learning, after all. She chuckled at the joke. "No, but I can think of many times that would have come in handy." A pang of sadness plucked at Freyr's soul when she realised she was using past tense. Her thoughts again drifted back to the Cradle, as they had thousands of times before. "Do you think it's unusual… how the Cradle behaves? It is millions of years old, potentially - and yet it is displaying signs I would normally associate with a nascent intelligence. Something that is still learning about its environment. As far as i can tell, it is properly powered. It is almost certainly more powerful than it lets on. The Navigator alluded to them being wounded, but a core principle of reactive synthetic architecture is that it can reconstitute. Why isn't it using whatever initial blueprint it adhered to?" Freyr looked at Marae again, blowing out more vapour.</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang "Bravo!" Wallace clapped her hands together and began manipulating the controls again. "I think we have some full-body masks somewhere…" After a few moments, a quartet of mannikin type shapes appeared behind the Plenipotentiary. Two were entirely obfuscated like the ship, two just had blurry faces. "I am not swimming out there." Freyr laughed, pouring herself another cup of tea. "I'm certainly not dressed for that." Wallace looked at her, raised one eyebrow and rolled the control ball over with one finger without looking. The concert began coming closer, with the ship silently navigating the placid waters. "Don't worry! If you want a full suit, it will repel the water. But I was thinking we could bring the concert to us in the beginning anyway. It's safer like that." Chirtsey and Alderney, Wallace's servants, wafted back into the room via newly reformed blast doors. The faint sound of raised voices followed, but was abruptly cut off when the doors closed. They landed gracefully back on the floor and walked in tandem over to the suits. "Help our guests with their gear, please." Wallace instructed without looking, fiddling with the controls. The music from outside was of a lower volume for the moment, but Freyr noticed the band reaching the end of their song. The scruffy lead singer waved to the crowd, other hand resting on his guitar. "Thank you! You're awesome. Thanks to Kaftari for letting us play for you at such short notice too. There's nothing like a humanitarian disaster in the capital to shake up the set list eh?" He turned and laughed with the rest of the band, who were either hydrating or tuning their equipment. Alderney came over and offered Freyr a blurry mask. She nodded and the servant went round the back of her chair to attach it. After an initial moment of disorientation, the mask moulded her face and her vision returned. It was like the mask wasn't even there anymore. Freyr gingerly felt her head and confirmed that it was, in fact, still there. "We have a special guest at our little gathering, folks!" The singer suddenly announced, scanning the water beyond their little flotilla. "If you're here, get outta my head and give us a wave!" "The good thing about a camouflage ship is that it is…customisable." Wallace grinned. Accessing the neural lace of most everyone in the vicinity, the Plenipotentiary first marked the outline of the ship. As everyone turned to look at them, now only a couple of hundred metres away, the outer surface of their craft rippled with a kaleidoscope of colours that mingled with the dark background of the mist upon the water. Wallace knew it would be different for everyone, finely balanced to stimulate the amygdala. The crowd burst into rapturous cheering, and as if it were planned all along, the band burst into a new song. Detecting the rhythm, the ship automatically synchronised. "They love it!" Wallace announced. "Time to meet our adoring fans - everyone suited up?" "This is attracting a lot of attention, maybe we shouldn't-" Freyr began, but their host had already set the process in motion. The orb's outer shell began peeling back as the ship floated the last few yards toward the flotilla. Wallace stood up and adopted a show woman's pose, her silent attendants standing at attention behind.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Nirann shrugged his shoulders. "Hmm, I suppose we could use holographic masking. It does kind of kill some of the fun, though. I do like it when I can just be part of the crowd, especially when I spend so much time watching them as it is. It's nice to just…explore a crowd naturally. Never know what you might find. Like a mate, for instance. I met Marae in the crowd at a party." In any case, neither of the pair directly objected to Wallace's suggestion. Even if they hid their identities, Marae had not expected her to want to make them the center of attention. Still, she was curious enough to want to see what she had in mind. When the ship opened up, both Marae and Nirann walked side-by-side along with Freyr, while mostly trying to keep out of Wallace's way. There seemed to be little doubt that she quite enjoyed having all the eyes on her. Marae grinned as they stepped out towards the flotilla, while Nirann would have if he could. "You sure you don't want to go for a swim? Because it seems like the alternative is being center stage." Nirann commented with a chuckle towards Freyr. The new song was just as alien as the previous to the pair of Rothians. Regardless of their opinions on it, though, they were far more occupied by this grand entrance than they were the concert itself.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang The ship nudged gently against the flotilla, and dropped down to allow Nirann and Marae to exit onto it if they wished to. Warm water sloshed onto the deck of their half-opened orb and quickly around the seating area until it was ankle high. Freyr squealed, partly from trepidation and partly from pure excitement after so long without stimulation. She leapt back onto the bean bag she'd been on before and laughed. "No! You go if you want, I'll try in a minute!" Wallace waved out to the wild mass of partygoers perched on the creaking flotilla, beaming as the music undulated around them. Several people jumped from the platforms onto their watery deck and rushed forward. Freyr didn't notice, for she was too preoccupied with all the moving objects, but Chirtsey and Alderney flinched. Their hands started to move, but one tiny motion from Wallace stopped them dead in their tracks. Freyr did happen to spot a tiny thread of flickering light, like spider silk, connecting the back of the Plenipotentiary's head to a shield generator hidden out of sight. The audio quality from inside the half-exposed orb was excellent, rivalling that of anywhere near the band. So the revellers swept up their group for a drunken greeting and compliment of the grand entry. They then began swirling around the space, dancing and knocking jovially into each other to this energetic music. "Hello, nice to see you. Please, make yourselves at home. Hi!" Wallace called over the music, hugging and shaking hands with several people; servants never more than an arm's length away. It was like the Plenipotentiary knew everyone at the event. "This looks comfy!" A tall thin woman with dark red hair and a swimsuit shouted, falling into Freyr's beanbag to hug her. "Oh, hey!" Freyr laughed tolerantly, patting the woman's back as the wetness seeped into her own clothes.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Both Marae and Nirann were moderately surprised about how their grand entrance was unfolding. Not only did they approach the party, but Wallace actually allowed the party to come to them. Freyr ducked back inside almost immediately, which got a chuckle out of Marae. It felt like Freyr was not quite accustomed to this sort of environment. They had not been quite sure how this evening was going to play out, but Marae and Nirann both shared a knowing look; at this point, they both knew what they were going to do next. At first, the pair slipped over to the side of the platform as the crowd advanced. They knew well-enough not to be in their way, though Freyr was quite firmly in their path. From what they could observe, it seemed like the idea of "inhibitions" was a foreign one to much of the crowd at the moment. One of them required no invitation to fall on Freyr's bean bag chair and embrace her like a long-lost friend. Nirann nudged Marae beside him. "About what kind of dosage you think she has right now?' "Now that's just rude." "But not inaccurate." Both exchanged a nod before deciding to approach, and they were both surprisingly adept at navigating even such a chaotic crowd. They knew not to try to move against it, instead moving with the flow of people as if they were navigating a river. They just nudged themselves in their desired direction whenever the opportunity presented itself. They ended up taking an indirect path, so Freyr may not have even seen them walk up behind her and take a seat on either side of her, crowding her bean bag chair rather thoroughly. She suddenly found herself with a scaly hand resting on her left shoulder, a metal hand on her right, and both of them talking to her one after another. "Well, seems like you're not wasting any time." "I see you've already made a friend." "That's nice." "Seems like our host is mostly focused on entertaining her swarm of guests right now." "If we play it right, we can probably just slip away into the party."</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr had not been expecting any of this. After so long trapped in a high rise apartment block, the mosh pit party developing around them as more people scrambled over to their little orb was quite daunting. They were variously running in circles or jumping up and down as this niche band transitioned seamlessly to another angsty song. "Ok, ok. Help me out here! Let's go for a wander." Freyr lifted her arms above her head, for the Rothians to pull her out from under the pile as another person joined in. "Aching, she's feeling so confused, confused. She can't breathe or believe she's useless Right off the edge she'll walk Just listen close you'll hear her screaming." The singer essentially couldn't see through the mat of hair now covering his eyes as he swanned about the stage. Someone from the flotilla clambered up onto their stage and rushed over. The singer tried to juke around but got knocked over in a fan hug. He still managed to shout into the mic from on the floor: "Take meee!" The rest of the band, grinning at the chaos, chimed in with backing vocals. "Take me." "Take mee!" Security rushed over and hoisted the screaming fan off of the scruffily dressed singer. He hopped up and carried on. "Who's gonna miss me when I'm gone?" He blew a kiss into the crowd, wiggling his head and stamping one foot in time with the music. "Our hardest times, hold on."</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Marae laughed, turning around as she stopped herself in front of Freyr. She reached out and placed a hand on both of her cheeks, though for hands her size, it was more like she was grabbing her entire head. "Freyr, do you ever stop working? Seriously, we are at a party, Freyr. We can have a meeting with the others to talk about that later. Just stop a moment and enjoy yourself." Marae smiled. As she released Freyr, she immediately turned and brought her hands up over her head to dive off the edge into the water. Nirann did not follow. For a moment, his gaze seemed to go out over the water, but it only took Freyr a few seconds to hear his voice. He did not bother trying to shout over the music or the crowd, but rather simply messaged Freyr's implants directly. "It isn't healthy what you're doing, you know?" He said. The tone Freyr heard was perhaps uncharacteristically serious from him. "You have an obsession. Now, you do have a very good reason to be obsessed, mind you, but that doesn't make the effects any better. You don't even know how many times I've seen this play out among my people. In my city. I experience every part of their lives; the good, the bad, all the successes and failures. I've seen millions upon millions of variations of their stories, so I can see what's happening in you. You Humans aren't all that different. You're not failing them if you're not spending every waking moment trying to bring them back. You're not turning your back on them by spending a few hours relaxing. For your sake and theirs, you need to let your mind rest. This obsession, it's not going to help them. It never does. What it can do is narrow your mind. Limit your perspective. It can hamper your judgement until you get to the point where you can only see what you want to see." Nirann held out one hand between them, offering it to her. "Close your eyes and listen. Not to your own thoughts, not to your fears, but to this place. This moment. The music, the people, the waves crashing up against the side of the boats. Let yourself seize this moment."</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr nodded hesitantly in response to Nirann. She knew some of this already, but hearing it from the robot didn't make things any easier. After a few shaky breaths, Freyr closed her eyes. A blurry image of her family entered her mind - they were running down a beach that didn't exist, away from her. Tears rolled down both her cheeks as the concert boomed around her. Freyr couldn't hear it anymore, only the sound of her breathing and a high pitched whine in each ear. Slowly, she raised a hand and tried to wipe her tears. She felt instead an alien, rubbery texture against her face, where the mask had settled in. Reaching around her neck, Freyr pushed the mask up and away, using the back of her arm to dry her face. At the same time, she reached out another hand, searching blindly for Nirann's. --- Staring through the spyglass, the spotter up on the raised promenade zoomed in on the woman's face as she wiped her tears away. The device matched this person to a high value target with a 85% probability. He put his secure phone to one ear, bulky transmitter pointing straight up. "I think I have something. On the beach."</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Nirann, for a few moments, observed in silence. He watched the smallest details of Freyr's body language, not that one would really need an electronic eye to see what she was feeling in her expression. In any case, given the context, it was easy to infer what sorts of thoughts were likely running through her mind. Reaching out, he took her hand carefully in his own. His hand might have been cold metal, with the strength to crush a metal bar as if it were a tin can, but his touch was as measured and precise as a surgeon. They were already close to the water, so he gently guided her along with him as he took a seat on the edge of the vessel, his feet hanging off into the water below. "I want to show you something real quick." Nirann remarked. He brought up a holographic screen in front of himself. He loaded a short video clip, then pushed it over in front of Freyr. Front and center in the frame was Marae. The distinctive mosaic on her scales had a different pattern, but it was still unmistakably her. It was nighttime in the video, though it was still clear enough for Freyr to see that she was sitting in the sand on a beach, holding another Rothian close to her. They were both looking up to the sky, in which they could see the Milky Way galaxy…from outside of the galactic plane. The video seemed to have been recorded on a Rothian colony in one of the Milky Way's satellite galaxies. Aside from the location, there was nothing in the video that would stand out to the average person, but Freyr would easily notice the fact that the other Rothian looked exactly like the holographic avatar Nirann had used when they had first met him back on Rothia. Yet, the pair of them were clearly in contact with one another in the recording, even nuzzling one another quite affectionately. He clearly was no hologram. "I don't spend most of my time back home walking around as an armored death machine." Nirann remarked, still messaging Freyr directly. "We can make synthetic bodies that are quite remarkable. I mean, that one is centuries old, and Marae still didn't have any idea there was metal instead of muscle under my scales until our first date. Even then, that was only because I told her myself. Point is, you've been through a lot Freyr, and I know it isn't easy. I know you have a lot to fear when it comes to bringing back your family, but if we do find their minds, you shouldn't have to worry about whether or not we can even bring them back at all. I can't say for sure if their minds will still be compatible with their original bodies, but since their minds have already been digitized, well…I wouldn't need to pull too many strings to have a pair of Human bodies fabricated. Take it from me, the experience of being in one of those bodies is outright identical to being in an organic one. Or at least, it can be."</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr followed Nirann's lead, taking off her shoes and rolling up her leg garments before sitting with the warm water lapping at her knees. She smiled sadly while watching the video Nirann showed, drying her eyes as much as she could under her mask. Eventually the happy scene became too much, and she looked up and past the screen at Réunion. It was late now, but the city was still lit up with a kaleidoscope of bright lights, snaking their way between platforms up to the mountains above. "You make it sound so easy." Freyr murmured, running her index finger through the water. "Like we can just bung my family into new bodies and life can go back to normal." She sighed. "I've had…dreams. Or visions, I don't know. I can see them inside the Cradle - they're being…chased, or tortured. I can't tell if they're asleep or awake, or where they are. But something is happening to them and being broadcast to me." Freyr pulled out her stim-stick and popped it in her mouth; the light lit up. "I sound crazy, I know. But it feels like a trap that I can't avoid. No matter how i approach it, none of us come out whole."</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Nirann turned his head, looking down at Freyr. "I don't mean to be the skeptic, but those dreams are much more likely to just be…dreams. You are worried about your family, again, very understandably. Your minds create dreams, for the most part, just based on what you think about while you're awake. And I'm sure you're thinking about your family a lot. There is not likely to be any meaning behind them beyond that." Freyr's hand was still gripped tightly onto Nirann's, though given her state at the moment, she may not have even realized it. He lifted her hand up slightly, then rested his other hand over the top of hers. "And if we can find their consciousnesses, then it really will be that easy. Normally it wouldn't be, since the prospect of digitizing a living mind is far from simple, but that won't be an issue here. Digital beings like me, we don't have to be too attached to particular hardware if we don't want to be. I can move between any hardware with enough storage space at a snap of my fingers, and well…the point I was trying to make is that they can be happy like this. In my usual body, there is nothing you can experience that I can't. Every touch, every taste, every scent, even digestion we can accomplish artificially. Now, granted, I don't usually enable all the features of organics in my body. For instance, I don't sleep and have never had the desire to, but they could have the choice to experience everything just like it used to be. Except…" Nirann shifted slightly in place, his gaze moving back out over the water. There was one aspect of Humanity that Rothians would never have any desire to imitate. "Well…there is the immortality. They wouldn't age. They would need to change bodies to move on to later stages of life, and the eventual death your species experiences would always be a choice."</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr blew out some vapour. It was a different colour to before, slightly green. She chuckled and shook her head. "At least then they'll get back the time they lost." Lights reflected off the dark, warm water as she ran a hand through it. Nirann might have been talking, but she wasn't taking anything in. After a little while, Freyr leaned slowly forward from her position, sat on the side and entered the lake fully. The comforting blackness engulfed her, and the cacophony of sounds around them changed into a muffled clang and hum. Freyr kicked her legs once, then twice, arms at her sides. Her fist closed around the stim-stick to prevent it floating away. Someone jumped in nearby, and began swimming around, nearly kicking her in the face. Freyr breathed out, feeling bubbles of air crawling along the top of her mouth.</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr hung awkwardly in Marae's embrace for a moment, feet softly kicking to help them float. Then she wrapped her arms around the scientist's muscular form and gave her a squeeze. She wanted to say 'thank you', but couldn't. The mental congestion was the same as if she were crying out of the water. "My son is missing too. Wallace's voice entered Freyr's head. It was clear she had been listening in, somehow. "That was why I called on you specifically. You may not know it yet, but you have influence with our people, Dr Lang. More than you know. We can help each other." Freyr didn't say anything, but released Marae after a few seconds. "Let's go up. I'm ready for a drink." She signalled in a monotone fashion. The music had been in a lull for a little bit, but was building up to a crescendo again. "Just forget All about fate While I unlock this gentleman's promise." The sound of the band exploded back into Freyr's ears as she broke the surface of the water. Turning her head, she could just about see the singer on their raised platform, holding onto the microphone stand while knocking their knees together. "With flesh like fire, but it lacks the colour And chemical laughs fly round like drama." Freyr grabbed onto the nearest pontoon and dragged herself up, clothes releasing large amounts of water back into the lake. "I don't understand what you mean." Freyr sent back to Wallace. She looked back at the ship, which was mobbed by partygoers.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Marae swam up and climbed out of the water alongside Freyr. Despite the crowd, being underwater came with a silence that could make the area seem almost peaceful. Though, that illusion was easily shattered once they were back in open air. "Yes, I think maybe this isn't the best sort of place for you right now. Maybe we should head back and have more of a quiet evening. We can have a few drinks, share some stories, relax." She suggested before shooting another glance down towards the water. "Come on back up. We're heading back inside." She messaged to Nirann. Nirann's current body could not swim in any real way, but he would not have jumped in without a way out. His frame had thrusters built in, mostly intended for zero-G maneuvering, but they could provide enough force in water to get him back up to the surface. Or at least, he brought himself close enough to grab a hold of the edge of the pontoon, then hoisted himself up the rest of the way. "Just based on my impressions of her, I'm thinking the odds are good that there is a full bar somewhere in this ship. Hopefully it's somewhere not overrun by…tourists." Marae remarked.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang The hit from her stim stick moments before rushed up Freyr's spine, like a thick fog. The music slowed in tempo slightly and rose in pitch. "Who says we need Wallace? We have a bar right here, all around us!" As if to demonstrate, Freyr snatched a square green bottle away from the lips of a teenager with orange trunks. She effected a sweet smile when he looked angrily her way, and pushed him off the side with one almighty shove. The soaking wet biologist upended the bottle and took in a mouthful of the pungent liquid. It tasted like liquorice and chilli peppers. Freyr winced as she swallowed, then took another smaller sip. "We can make our own party." --- A long bike whirred out of the long lines of air traffic above the city centre and dropped down to the promenade overlooking the lake. A girl in a full body protective suit and helmet parked it next to the man who was watching the concert and hopped off the bike. He looked over and offered her his binoculars, which she took wordlessly and moved to the parapet. "I marked them. The mask is back on now, but body language matches known records." He remarked. The girl quickly rewound the footage recorded in the device until she got a look at half of Freyr's face. "Any shields?" "I can't detect anything. The lizards might." The girl clucked her tongue softly, tapping the parapet with a fingernail.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Marae laughed, crossing her arms as she looked down on Freyr next to her. "But you are a conundrum, aren't you Dr. Lang? Not but a moment ago, it didn't seem like you were up for much of any kind of party, much less one of your own making. And here I was thinking we were about to have a quiet evening relaxing over drinks, sharing stories…" Nirann walked around on Freyr's other side, holding his arms out as wide has he could in the crowd as he took a few steps back. "Well I don't know about you, but a party sounds worlds more exiting than…that. And I'll tell you, I am wonderful at acting drunk. Always the life of the party." "But unlike everyone else, you get to cheat. No risks, and you can always just snap yourself out of it." Marae grunted. "Oh, you know well how I can handle risks." Even if he hadn't been masked, Nirann could not give expressions, but everything about the way he spoke gave the image of him speaking through a wide grin. "What's something you've never done before, Freyr? Something exciting? Something frightening? Both? We've got freedom and we've got these masks, so no one will be getting on to us later."</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr pantomimed thinking for a second, stroking her imaginary beard. "I've never been up on stage at a music thing before." She raised one eyebrow as the singer, not too far away now, ripped his sweat-drenched shirt off, swung it around his head and chucked it into the crowd. A dozen arms reached out to grab it at the front. The band started playing slower but harder as they transitioned from one song to the next. "Ah, there you are!" A voice called out from the throng around them. Alderney pushed through the crowd and stepped aside to let Wallace through. She'd somehow changed her stola for a lightweight purple jumpsuit. "You're all wet! Good, well, I think we should head back inside now. I'm afraid we're attracting a bit of attention…Dr Lang?" Freyr pushed through the crowd towards the stage. Liquid from the bottle she'd stolen spilled all over her mask when someone's elbow jogged her as she tried to drink. "Hey, cool outfit!" Someone shouted in her ear. "You're an amazing crowd, and we're Precept. You're listening to the early 21st, right here on Réunion beach!" The singer shouted as the song ended. "This one is for our new government - fuck you!" The band started playing again, playing with new vigour. Lights shone up into the sky from around the stage, and large gouts of smoke puffed out and around the ensemble. Freyr pushed on towards the front. Wallace just smiled as Freyr ran away, then looked at the two Rothians. "I'm going to put a shield out, but we should really leave soon. Want to head back to the ship and I'll collect Dr Lang?" As she spoke, a subtle oil-slick bubble extended from the partly visible Cradle ship to encompass the concert within it. If you were listening carefully, you could hear a sound like undersea cables being pulled taut.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Nirann tilted his head up slightly towards the sky. With his array of sensors, he could perceive the shield in ways most others couldn't. Indeed, he could get a read on its size, dimensions, and strength from a distance. Wallace, it seemed, was being quite cautious. He wondered if there was a specific reason to think they were in danger, or if she was just leaving nothing to chance. In any case, he had no problem assisting in his own way. It was easy enough for him to have a subroutine always monitoring his sensors for anything potentially worrying. Crossing his arms, Nirann laughed. "Are you so sure you want to leave so soon? Freyr is finally looking like she's having a good time." "Well, it would be the responsible thing to do." Marae remarked. "Heh, like how responsible you were on our last trip to Anskaria?" Marae rolled her eyes, then stepped a bit closer to Wallace. "We can join you. Maybe help bring her in without upsetting her." She offered, though she could not help but to look to the crowd with a bit of temptation. The music, as strange as it was to her, had a beat she was starting to appreciate. The crowd was still as lively as ever, and even for her, it would be easy for her to want to join in. She supposed they would see once they got to Freyr.</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Wallace surveyed the crowd, swaying gently to the rhythm. Then she leaned in and called over the music. "I'd love to stay. I would! But I'm getting reports of unrest in the city. Protests and 'subversive' maneouvers - stuff you would never see on Rothia. My ship can protect us from almost anything, but it is the Institute I'm most worried about. They know I've kidnapped one of their officers and a VIP and they want both back!" She was smiling, but Wallace's eyes were dark. Someone tripped over a buoyancy aid behind Wallace and fell over. Chirtsey smartly shoved them away from the Plenipotentiary and into the water. The band carried on playing, the singer's previously ragged voice hitting an impressive range of notes. Wallace looked around for Freyr again. "Besides, I saw what happened just now. Dr Lang needs therapy - an environment like this isn't helping her." --- Freyr smiled around at the maelstrom of faces swirling in front of her eyes. Spots of warm water pattered down onto her forehead and dripped into her mouth. She pushed quickly through the crowds forcing the bottle up from her side to take another sip. "Hey, gorgeous." A voice said in her ear. Freyr turned her head. "Give me a boost up onto the stage." She slurred.</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang The Rothian interceptors only had a few seconds to avert disaster. Outremer's command and control infrastructure had only recently gone through a drastic, though reversible, reduction in integration with the Cradle. A gap in centuries of unnaturally-fast reflexes allowed the simultaneous hack of two unmanned cargo ships to remain undetected by air traffic control for a whole minute. As the first cargo ship's fiery pieces lit up the night sky and crashed into the south-west side of the tower block, the second one flattened out its approach to the north-west. It screamed past neighbouring towers on a collision course as the swarm of Rothian craft surrounded it. The fighters which clamped onto the freighter exerted a huge effort to pull wide of the safe house. They fizzed past the safe house block by the narrowest of margins, rattling every window. Then, whoever was controlling the suicide bomber detonated what was left of their interstellar engine, barely a hundred metres from north side of the tower. Freyr couldn't see much from on the stretcher, except the robot hovering above her and the harsh lighting set in the ceiling. Then there was smoke, and things started to get quite hot. "Please make your way to the nearest fire exit point, indicated on the floor in front of you." The building's attendant AI requested calmly. "Other way! Down to the hangar!" Skopec roared, as a wall of fire licked under the newly emerged set of blast doors at the end of their corridor. The floor shook under their feet, and an alarmingly crisp sound of rending metal sounded from all around them. Freyr's vision blurred, and a sudden nausea rose from the pit of her stomach up toward her throat. "I was…somewhere."</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Regardless of the source of the symptoms she felt, Freyr would find she did not experience them for long. The drones her body was hooked to provided constant analysis and treatment for any deviation from ideal homeostasis. The heat from outside, however, they could not address. The whole of the building seemed to shake from the explosion, and once again, most of those around her stumbled and staggered. Fortunately, the blast doors kept back the flames, but it seemed their closest exit was now blocked. Nirann needed only to double-check the building's blueprints for a moment to feel dubious about their plan for escape. The hangar was a fair distance away, and he could only guess at the current stability of the structure with the limited information he had available. Based on the estimated yield of the explosion, plus previous impacts, it was possible they could make it down in time, but there was quite a bit of a margin of error in those estimates. An alternative would be preferable. He signaled to the Rothian transports outside, informing them of their current position and situation. "I can call a transport to this floor." Nirann informed Skopec. "We just need to get to the building's outer walls and one of them can cut through and extract us. Preferably on a side that isn't on fire." Already, the dropships were surrounding the building and scanning for safe locations to cut through the exterior, then marking the options for Nirann and the others.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Skopec consulted the building plan quickly, before making a snap decision. "Ok, everyone follow me!" He led them back the way they'd come, away from the blast doors that held back a billowing inferno which was engulfing one side of the tower. An alarm blared throughout the complex, mingling in with shouting voices. More scientists and staffers emerged from their quarters along the hall to join the growing crowd as they evacuated. Freyr could see smoke billowing past the exterior windows of their individual apartments. She could smell fire from her gurney. Outreman fighters screamed past the arcology again, and another titanic grinding sound rattled the fabric of the building. "Everybody MOVE!" Institute soldiers bellowed at the terrified civilians, pushing them into line behind Skopec. They turned a corner and kept going east along the southern-most corridor."Tell them to meet us in the south-east corner." Skopec glanced back while explaining to Nirann. It's a larger apartment - more floor space and windows! I'll go down and get-" The Sergeant never finished, because a solid interior fire door flew away from the wall and crashed into him. A seven foot tall industrial droid ducked under the now-open doorway from the emergency stairwell it had just climbed up. Its retro-fit armour plating was blackened and dented from the impact when the first cargo ship had crashed into the building. Curled up and deactivated, it had survived. Though, its regular uplink light was not flashing. Ignoring the others, it strode across the corridor and punched straight through the door that was now melded to Skopec's frame. The Sergeant's helmet slithered across his face just before the droid could grab his bare neck. Within half a second, another blackened droid stepped through the opening - this one was carrying an energy cannon. It spooled up rapidly into a full-charge state. "ROTHIA MUST FALL" The droid blared in a robotic voice, before firing from the hip straight at Nirann from close range.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori The attack came quickly, but even those few moments were well-within Nirann's ability to use. To a normal organic, his perception would be like looking on in slow-motion. The emergence of the droids through the doorway required immediate action. Just a quick visual scan identified the droids as an industrial model. They were certainly armed, though they were not military models. They had likely been reprogrammed and repurposed for this attack. Given that they were not classified military equipment, Nirann could easily access their model specifications through public networks. He could learn how they were constructed as well as the layout of their components. The cannon was one he could identify in his scans. It was a heavier weapon of Human make, though he was well-aware of its energy output. It was a fairly simple calculation to judge exactly how much damage his own defenses could handle. Nirann had no shortage of reasons to act. The members of the science team were critical mission assets, even moreso than himself. He had no intention of dying, but as much as Marae would hate him even thinking it, he was still "just" a copy. However, the motivation that pushed him above all others was the one he would not log officially. Marae was here, and she was in danger. The mission was supposed to come first, but Marae was who he would protect. All others were secondary. Before Skopec had even hit the ground, Nirann had angled his shield strength towards the front and started off in a forward sprint. Nirann had not brought weapons with him, but he was still in the frame of a Rothian war droid. It was a military machine, and it had its own integrated armaments for him to use. For such close quarters, its plasma blade was perfectly suitable. His arm opened up to expose the energy projector before the bright red blade ignited. As the energy cannon charged to full power, Nirann was already dashing forward. The droid was aimed right at him, but that was perfectly fine to him. A shot aimed at him was one not aimed at her. He took the first shot directly to his shields, but he did not intend to allow a second. They had been close to start, and it just took a moment to close the gap. He slashed his blade for the droid's arms to disarm it and remove its threat, then intended to follow through by thrusting it into the processor directly. Rhia made her analysis as quickly as Nirann, though it took a moment longer for Vreta to be able to react to it. He was not armed, but there was still an opening for them to help. Nirann was handling one of the droids, but the other was occupied with Skopec. It was uncertain if they would be able to save him, but they had a chance to try. Rhia directed Vreta to rush forward as well and run up from behind the droid. These droids seemed to currently lack any remote network connections that might open them up to remote hacking, but manual hacking was still an option. If Vreta could jack in and establish a connection physically, Rhia had prepped a virus to attempt to disable its motor functions, then perhaps do more from there.</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang The droids moved very quickly, their usual collision controls disabled. The one facing Nirann dropped its cannon, leapt forward and grabbed the Rothian's blade arm near the wrist and at the elbow. The lights in the corridor flicked off, to be replaced by red emergency lighting. The corridor was full of scientific personnel, and most of them were not calm. As the sword blazed through the droid's right shoulder, it applied enough force to pick Nirann up and turn right, swinging him around 180 degrees. The droid ultimately aimed to throw the smaller robot back through the twisted fire escape exitway. If that worked, a third blackened droid was waiting with a sharp metal girder, torn from the wreckage, to smash Nirann to pieces. The second droid's sensory array detected Vreta rushing up on it from the side. It rose up from its crouching position over the prone Skopec, lifting the Institute soldier up with one arm until he was struggling in mid-air. The robot then swung the Sergeant around, to put him between Vreta and itself. It would then try to club Vreta to the ground or back through the exitway with the combined mass of Skopec's armour and the attached fire door. There was pandemonium in the corridor, with scientists attempting to scramble back the way they'd came, often over each other. Institute operators were stuck in the melee, trying to get a clear shot on the assailants. Masgard Xandrus didn't try to flee though. His face was determined as he moved forward, trying not to get hit by either Nirann or the first droid as he went for the cannon.</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang The two closest Institute operators fired continuous streams of energy at Vreta's droid as soon as their CO was out of the way. They lit up the dark red corridor, and after a second the entire front of the machine was covered in corrosive plasma. Nirann and the other droid were brushed too in these close quarters. Coils of acrid smoke billowed up into the ceiling ventilation, setting off the fire-defence system for the sector. Sheets of cold water sprayed from all angles. Skopec gurgled incoherently over comms as the vice-like grip contorted the armour around his throat. He'd managed to pull out his sidearm; he fired it rapidly into the fire door which had been pressed against his suit. Sparks and fires burst from the droid's chest and head as the plasma gouged its armour plating. Its top half spun round full circle and its bottom half staggered forward. Plasma sprayed all over its back and sides until Skopec and the fire door screeched along the opposite wall on another collision course with Vreta. The other droid didn't fit back through the exitway when Nirann let go. It moved its one remaining leg to connect with the door frame. It smashed right through, but enough of the momentum was dissipated to avoid it crashing into the third droid and falling back down the stairwell. Instead it rolled in the air before collapsing on the floor. The third droid sensed an opportunity, trampling straight over its downed colleague with no time wasted. It moved the sharpened girder it held so it pointed straight out in front, to impale Nirann through the abdomen while he was unbalanced. With the other Rothian target directly behind this war machine, it could kill two birds with one stone.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta was more agile than the machine targeting him, though he still had to struggle to evade the incoming attacks. Weapons fire from the other Institute operators tore through the droid, but that did not bring him out of danger just yet. His shield belt protected him from the indirect spray of plasma, but he had to leap out of the way of Skopec when he was swung towards him once again. Even with Rhia's warning, it came quick enough that he only partially succeeded. He did avoid the brunt of the impact, but Vreta was still hit in the side and sent tumbling across the floor until he slammed back into the wall behind him. The pain was dull and, in the excitement of the moment, easy to ignore, but he still had to struggle to push past the stunning effect of the impact to try to get himself up off the ground. Nirann, meanwhile was also leaning into his maneuverability. He caught himself from falling back with his tail after throwing the first droid, so he kept his footing for the most part. It was not a feat a normal Rothian would be able to accomplish, but he had quite a bit more power in his frame. In any case, he recognized that he did not need to do anything complex or risky to end the threat in front of him. Oftentimes, a simple, straightforward approach was best in a fight. He ignited his energy blade once more and took up a stance reminiscent of that of a fencer. Using the reach of his weapon to his advantage, he started to make quick, efficient slices with the tip of his blade towards the charging droid, first at its arm to eliminate its improvised weapon, then towards the rest of its frame to cut it to pieces. He was more than agile enough to evade as needed to keep out of reach of the lumbering machine.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang The droid swinging Skopec released him after hitting Vreta. Not by design; it had just lost control of its arms. They continued to spin wildly around. Milliseconds after the Sergeant flew through the air, Masgard rose to his feet with the second droid's discarded energy cannon. Cradling it in his arms, he charged the weapon to full power, aimed and fired. vvvvVVVVBOOM The corridor flashed, and the top half of the first droid disappeared. Its legs stumbled forward a step, before pitching over on the floor. Masgard grinned, relieved. It didn't last long though, and he fumbled to cool the gun's energy core for another shot as Skopec crashed into Nirann from behind. Somehow, the Institute Sergeant managed to push free of the fire door that had been integrated with his armour since the fight began. This slab of metal whacked the Rothian AI on the back at high speed, and the armoured man fell shorter, impacting the base of Nirann's tail. The droid on the other side of Nirann didn't stop charging forward. The energy sword sawed the arm holding the girder clean off; it clanged to the floor. But with Nirann pushed forward from behind the droid used its side to keep the blade's edge away from puncturing its chest - merely singeing its frame. It took a side step before lunging forward, grabbing Nirann around the neck and pulled him savagely into the stairwell area. Using its opponent's momentum, the droid pushed Nirann down towards the other legless machine on the floor. This one knew that without a knee joint, it was no use in a conventional fight. So it had immediately begun priming its emergency self-destruct charge. The module was embedded in its chest and had been designed for activation either by a human standing in front of the droid, or remotely. So it had taken a couple of seconds to prepare, but the charge now flashed red. A prerecorded message blared for workers to stand back, as Nirann's head was plunged toward it.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Nirann could accurately track the positions and movement of every object around him, but there were still limitations on how quickly he could actually move his physical frame. The hit to his back forced him forward, and he had to react as best as he could. Granted, he could calculate multiple options to avoid taking the brunt of the force from the detonation. His blade was still active, and he could twist it around behind him to sever the arm holding him. An organic Rothian would probably break their own arm trying to contort in such a way, but he did not have such limitations. However, for Nirann, it was not just himself he had to worry about. He lacked enough information on the internal specifications of the explosive charge that he could not accurately predict the explosion's characteristics. The exact direction of the explosive force, fragmentation, there was enough variance to be worried. He could not predict who else behind him would be hurt if he was not in the way, and he had to protect them. He had to protect her. He directed all available power to bolstering his frontal shielding and allowed his frame to stay between the charge and his allies. In an instant, there was a flash of light, and in the next, a deafening blast that shook the hallway. In the span of fractions of a second, Nirann's shields flared brighter and brighter, then cracked. Most of his heavily armored frame could withstand the explosion, thereby protecting those behind him, but his head had been point-blank to it. In an instant, Nirann's head had been blasted apart, along with much of the forearm of the droid that had been holding it. As the rest of Nirann's frame dropped to the ground, the industrial droid was knocked back by the blast, though kept its footing. Even damaged as it was, it was still active…still dangerous. Unarmed, the machine was still a deadly weapon on its own. One arm sparked between twisted, contorted metal plates, while the other was raised into a fist. It chose its next target, but it never found its opportunity to make its rush forward. Rather, it quickly lost control of its limbs as a glowing red energy blade cleaved through the actuators controlling its hip joints, then continued upwards through its torso to bisect the machine vertically. Its two halves fell to either side, glowing red from the intense heat, leaving Nirann's headless frame standing tall in its stead, his blade held high. Naturally, a droid's head was not where the Rothians chose to place its central processing unit. For such a critical component, the much more heavily armored torso was a far better location. "Damn it, lost the primary sensor suite. Going to have to manage on secondaries." Nirann muttered through notably lower-quality speakers. "Can we all move? We need to be out of here five minutes ago."</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang "Agreed, let's get the hell out of here!" Masgard yelled over the sirens, hefting the cannon as he turned back to the group. His usually perfect hair hung down along his forehead, dripping wet from the fire control system. Most of the civilians had begun a stampede back through the red-hued corridor in the opposite direction. But the fight had only lasted half a minute at most, so the Institute operators at the back were able to shepherd them up and point them in the right direction. The ones in the front fanned out to check the corridor ahead. Skopec rose to his knees and pushed his helmet back. He peeled a warped slither of armour flex away from his neck, breathing ragged. That done, the Sergeant waved away offers of assistance and clambered unsteadily to his feet, pistol in hand. He looked angry. "As I was saying… I'll make sure everyone gets out. Go!" --- Not long after, they reached the large corner unit of their floor. A Rothian transport had cut through the glass and was waiting for them with the doors open. They all fit on, except some of the soldiers who went to help their CO, and the craft lifted off. The arcology they had all briefly called home was lit up with a multitude of fires, raging against a dark and rainy background. Police lights flashed through the city below. Chapter 7 - The Alliance Freyr slept without dreams for the next 28 hours. The first time in a while. She woke in unfamiliar surroundings.</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr stared blankly into space, searching her memory while the doctors spoke to her. Her mind tried to piece together what had happened and how she'd arrived in this strange place - but the last couple of days were an uncomfortable blur. She distractedly hummed out an earworm; the beginning of a song she didn't know. She looked over when another Rothian entered, and it took a few seconds for her to recognise Vreta'Sori. He asked her how she was, and Freyr looked down at her hands as if to see if she'd contracted leprosy. "Groggy. Where am i?" She replied eventually. She smacked her lips, finding them dry. "Water." She murmured. The Human doctor made a note and then signalled at the attendant droid.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori "We're on the Faultless Spear, our cruiser in orbit. We're safe here." Vreta answered softly. "We managed to get out of the arcology amid the attack, if only just. The fires consumed many of the upper floors, before they got them under control. The dropship that evacuated us brought us straight up here, and we've been here since. Everyone on both science teams received the best medical treatment we could give them, and there have been no deaths. At least no one who came up here with us. I haven't heard any details yet about casualties on the ground." Vreta was interrupted for a few seconds as the medical drone floated over to fulfill Freyr's request. It produced a bottle of water, made from polymer with a straw built-in. Vreta waited for the drone to return to its dormant position before continuing. "I know what happened down there was stressful for…many reasons. I've already been debriefed on my experience, and I'm sure they're going to want to do the same for you, but you don't have to worry about that right this second. You can rest and recover. Catch your breath. We weren't really able to bring our belongings with us when we evacuated. I don't know yet exactly how far the fires spread. They'll send word if there is anything we can recover. In the meantime, Marae did stop by earlier to bring you some clothes she got for you. I told her you would probably want some while you are here, but, umm…" Vreta rubbed his hand over the back of his neck as he awkwardly gestured to the table beside her bed. Laid out on it were a few garments that seemed to have been picked out by someone with absolutely no concept of Human fashion. There was a fine, expensive green suit jacket, a pair of baggy, tie-dye cargo shorts, dark blue dress shoes, some nearly knee-length rainbow-patterned socks, and to top it all off an exceptionally wide-brimmed sun hat with a fake feather. "I, um, think she just liked the colors." Vreta remarked, clearing his throat. "We can get you some more, in a little while. Things are still a bit chaotic."</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr struggled to comprehend what Vreta was telling her. Were those noises in the back of her head memories of deafening in-atmosphere engines and explosions? She received the bottle sippy cup and greedily drank from it, peering blankly over at the assortment of clothing. The water trickled down her dry pipes, invigorating her slightly, but her mind still span. "Was there an attack? My memory is a little hazy…"</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta nodded, pausing a few moments as he looked around for a chair to pull up alongside her bed. He let out a long, slow breath as he took his seat. "Yes. The story I have heard is that terrorists hijacked two large ships and sent them hurdling towards the arcology. Between ground-based defenses and a Rothian drone squadron, they were able to stop them from crashing into the buildings completely, but they still dealt some damage. Like I said, a lot of fires. They also managed to get some hacked industrial droids in the building after us, but we fought them off and managed to evacuate. I…took a hard hit or two on the way out myself, but it was nothing serious. You were already hooked up to the medical droids being treated at the time, after you passed out." Vreta looked up to the Rothian doctor. "Does she need to stay here, or is she free to leave?" The doctor turned her focus to Freyr directly. "You are not considered to be at risk anymore. While I do highly recommend a psychological evaluation, your body appears to be perfectly fine. Still, I do want to keep you monitored for at least the next day, just to be safe. The sensor links on you will keep a constant check on your vitals and let us record the data. You don't need to stay in this bed for that, though. As long as you're on the ship, the sensors can connect to the network." Across Freyr's body were a handful of small, translucent disks attached to her skin at various points. Each were no larger than a centimeter in diameter, and were non-intrusive to the point that she had likely not even noticed them until the doctor pointed them out. They caused no irritation or other discomfort, at least.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr looked down at her hands briefly when the Doctor mentioned a sensory uplink, but couldn't spot anything attached to her. She looked back up at them. "Thank you. I will get up soon and see how I feel." She looked back to Vreta, trying to process what he was saying. "Terrorists? But…who-" Her fuzzy brain suddenly etched a portrait of the man who'd apprehended them on the bridge, on their way to the Cradle those weeks ago. His lips moved: "You have the power to stop this, before it's too late." The tattoo of a scythe under his eye wiggled as he smiled, revealing a set of sharpened synthetic teeth. "If you don't, well…the Guild doesn't look kindly on traitors." "Skinners? Why do they want to kill us? We're just trying to understand what we've gotten ourselves into…" Dr Lang searched Vreta'Sori's reptilian eyes, as if to find the answer to her question.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta shrugged lightly, leaning back in his chair. "It could be the Skinners. That is who our enemy have presented themselves as being. But, we've only encountered holograms and hacked robots so far. They could just be a scapegoat being used by some other group. Our people are going to need to do their own investigation to confirm who these terrorists really are, one way or another." Vreta leaned forward and clasped his hands together, looking down on Freyr with a soft expression. "Like I said before, though, we're safe here. Whoever our enemy might be, they have clearly infiltrated parts of your government in some capacity, but they certainly haven't infiltrated a Rothian crew. Every other Human brought on board right now has to be thoroughly vetted.. Right now, it's really just the science team, and your doctors. And in case you were worried about anything having happened to you while unconscious, don't be. You've been hooked into a Rothian medical drone from the moment we evacuated the arcology up to now, and those things can keep track of every molecule that enters or leaves your body. You haven't been poisoned, or anything of the like. As for outside threats, I don't care what weapons they acquire, they are not going to be able to get through a Rothian cruiser's shields before we can jump out of the system. You can rest for as long and as deeply as you need." For the moment, the doctors seemed to have little else they needed to do. The data flowing from the sensor link provided a continuously updated picture of her physical of her current physical health that they could access anytime, from anywhere. If anything went wrong with her, they would know about it right away, regardless of where they were. Vreta felt he had said enough to address any worries she might have had about their immediate safety, so he started to look ahead. "Aside from that, I do know that Marae has been anxious for you to wake up. She was…shaken by the attack, but she seems to be focusing on getting to work now. According to her, the lab has all the equipment you need to analyze the data we already have, even faster and more thoroughly than before. My advice would still be for you to get some rest and recover, but I know you've been anxious to get back to work yourself these last few weeks."</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr nodded, mulling things over while taking another long sip of water. It scared her to death, not knowing who was pulling the strings. Her work on the Cradle over the past decade had given her a glimpse of how labyrinthine the corridors of power on Outremer. But it felt like ever since the jewel in her adopted home planet's crown had woken up, some kind of long-arranged plan had begun to unfold. People were saying one thing to her face, and then doing completely the opposite. Looking at Vreta, Dr Lang realised that she did trust him. But she couldn't shake the feeling that every Rothian she'd met was reading from a script - at least at certain times. The Rahn'Saki had looked like they were wearing a mask at their first formal conference. The lack of discord among their lizard friends troubled her. Freyr watched Vreta continue talking while she mulled things over, only half listening. Then, an encrypted message popped up on her neural net through the cruiser's distribution network. It was from Masgard Xandrus - her eyes clouded over while she accessed it. Hey. Glad to hear you're awake. Did you get my get-well-soon gift? Pretty much the entire government wants to talk to you. I've told them you need time, but i don't know if i can stall them for long. Let me know when you're ready to face them. M Freyr closed down her neural interface and sighed. "It seems I am in high demand." She contemplated the prospect of getting back to work, and immediately got the imprint of a voice whispering in her ear, and her face submerged in water. Her heart began pounding in her chest, and Freyr's next few breaths were fast and juddery. Then all of a sudden it was gone. "I don't know…if I can face working today. How is my team? How is, erm, Wallace? She was there before I passed out. With those two masked people."</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr leaned back away from Vreta'Sori. She didn't like talking about her body. "Both - my implants are mostly geared towards helping me inside the Cradle. I don't go on about it, but I see it differently to you. Having all these data overlays lets me understand it in real time. It's a gift and a curse really…" She drifted off, then continued after a moment. "If I properly look inside my own head, I'm scared of what I'll find. That is why I've avoided it for so long." "Doctor Lang!" A voice called. Freyr looked around, but couldn't see the source of the sound. There was just the path they had departed from to sit on the side of the grassy knoll. "Freyr!" The sound was closer this time. Freyr looked behind her and smiled with recognition when she found Dr Kim striding down towards them. She got up and the young scientist embraced her heartily, careful not to drop his stim-stick. "I'm glad to see you up and moving. We were all so worried!" "Thanks to our Rothian friends, I'm fine now." Freyr replied. Dr Kim glanced warily at Vreta'Sori. "We're in a tent on the other side of this thing." He motioned to the long, low hill they were standing on. "A bot just showed up with a big basket of fruit." Kim laughed. "I knew you wouldn't be far behind. Come, I'll show you." Together, they scaled the hill. From the summit they looked out over a small field with trees for shade on the edge of a river. An octagonal grey tent stood in the field, with a few people Freyr instantly recognised conversing outside. "It's good to be out of the safe house, even if this place is just an illusion of space." Dr Kim sighed contentedly as they strolled towards the tent. "Some of the team want to leave for good though - they've had enough." He warned, shooting his superior and mentor a glance. "I can hardly blame them. It is my fault we're in this mess to begin with - i'll talk to them." Freyr responded.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Given the scale of the atrium, it was not surprising that the team had been able to set up where they pleased. There was enough space for every living person on the ship to live in the atrium full-time, if they needed to. Indeed, some emergency plans involved moving the crew to the atrium to allow them to power down other parts of the ship. Regardless, the Human team had seemed to have settled in well enough. The tent they were using was of Rothian make, and was designed for rapid, but effective shelter in any environment. It was made from a smart polymer that could be flexible like cloth to be arranged into any needed shape, then, when activated, could harden into a tough, rigid plastic. The polymer could be shifted manually, or automatically with programmable presets. Currently, it seemed like their tent was simply arranged into an open area with plenty of space for whatever equipment they wanted to have with them. The location they had chosen had what Vreta would consider a certain, idyllic charm. It was open, on a gentle hill near a river. Somewhat closeby, Vreta could see one of the waterfalls from one of the atrium walls. Like much of the rest of the chamber, the walls were intended to blend seamlessly with the environment it presented, so they had the appearance of natural barriers, rather than artificial ones. This waterfall had the appearance of flowing down from a short, but steep rock cliff face. Personally, Vreta felt like he might end up getting distracted if he were to try to work "outside" like this, but he could see how it could help the team to cope with all the stress they had been through. Vreta did not want to interrupt Freyr or her team, but he did shoot her a message to respond to what she had said to him. "I understand how you feel, and I know the pressure you're under, being the leader of all these people. Especially now, with all they've been through. Not a lot of Rothians are comfortable with danger, and I can't imagine it's 'that' much easier for Humans. Still, though, you do need to remember to look out for yourself, too. Your well-being is just as important as theirs. If you decide to accept it, whenever you are feeling ready, we can get you the help you need. Whatever we might find, we'll be ready to face it." Vreta gave a look around the area, taking in a deep breath and speaking out loud this time. "After all this chaos, I do think it would be good for your team to hear from you. Maybe we should get everyone together, your team and Marae's. This is a perfect place, just rest by the river, sit in the sand. Talk. Air out concerns, grievances, and figure out our path going forward."</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang "That sounds like a plan." Freyr agreed. The large tent was bereft of much heavy equipment. Instead, a dozen holos projected mountains of data visualisations onto whiteboards, the walls and even the ceiling. Academics of both species stood around talking, sitting quietly and running through simulations in their head or writing out structures to make sense of it all. The groups were more mixed than before, but there was still quite a clear separation between the Rothian & Human cadres. Most of the Human team greeted their leader returning with relief. They'd been to her bedside earlier, but the doctors had ushered them away to let Freyr rest. She did notice though that some people didn't come and say hello. They clumped together in pockets throughout the space and watched her with interest. Eventually, quiet fell in the tent when it became clear Dr Lang wanted to address them. "Hi everyone." She began, searching for the words. "I think we all need to talk."</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori After Freyr's answer, Vreta silently messaged Marae to get the rest of the team together. Most of the science team was in and around the atrium, but there were some who were elsewhere in the ship, including Marae herself. They did have to wait a few minutes for the stragglers to trickle in and join them. It did not take long for Nirann to join them. Rather than repair the damage to his body, he had moved to an entirely new frame. He seemed to have moved to a different model of military droid. It was still a Rothian-like droid, though this one was noticeably taller with plating that seemed thicker. Whatever else might have been different from the previous droid was not visible from the outside. Marae had been in a different part of the ship when Freyr awoke, so she was one of the last to join them in the tent. Pretty much right away as she saw Freyr, she rushed up to her arms outstretched. She seemed to be all smiles and excitement as she pulled her into a tight hug. Whatever the rest of the team might have been feeling, she was certainly in a good mood in the moment. "Ah, I was so glad when I heard you had woke up. I trust our doctors of course, but it's nice to see in person that their diagnosis was correct. I see you got the outfit I gave you; do you like it? Did I do a good job on it?"</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr returned Marae's hug in kind. It was good to see her - their bond had been forged mainly through a mutual love of science. But the main thing that drew Freyr to the pre-eminent AI specialist was that she wore her heart on her sleeve. "Thank you. Yes, very good job." Freyr beamed, eliciting smirks from a few on her team. "Let's go and stretch our legs." As a loose group of incongruously dressed individuals, the scientists exited their big tent and meandered through the shaded field, talking quietly among themselves. After a minute or two, Freyr found herself on the edge of the river. Well, it was quite thin for a river at this point. More of a babbling brook that washed over a bed of smooth stones. Some of them shone in the artificial light… "Boss?" Freyr woke from her reverie. She realised she must have been staring into the water. She turned and found everyone gathered around. Some were looking round at the scenery but most were focused solely on her. For a few moments, she didn't know what to say. So she just started and hoped it would come to her. "Some of us have worked together for a long time. The Rothians here won't know him, but before he was killed in the Cradle, Dr Childermass and I had known each other for some eleven years. Some of you have been experts in the field since before I was born." A little girl laughed, somewhere far behind her. A man called that girl's name. Freyr looked round, but couldn't hear anything out of the ordinary. Just the water. Nothing moved on the other side of the river. She looked back around to face the scientists again. "Together, we've applied learnings from the Cradle to problems that exist in our reality. How do we…communicate, across the vastness of space? How do we provide long-term energy sufficiency to new and remote colonies? How do we shield space-faring vessels against harm? All of these advances in technology were catalysed in this…thing, we found underground." All faces were watching her now. She studied them. "But now, the problem is the Cradle itself. It has killed thousands of innocents. The entity buried on Rothia - the Navigator - It says it was running. Running from something it says is even more powerful, and unfriendly. It wants our help, but I swore to protect you when I took this job. And I can't guarantee safety anymore. I don't know if anyone can."</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang The atmosphere was…tense, to say the least, as the teams once again moved their whole lives to a new base. Drones did all the hard work, so Freyr spent most of her time rallying support from her senior colleagues. They all knew now that she had broken their curfew to go to a party. Their loyalty to their boss had prevented them from voicing concerns publicly, but they made it clear that it hadn't reflected well on her or them. Even though Freyr protested in the strongest possible terms that it was a data-gathering exercise with a senior diplomat, without evidence they couldn't comment on it either way. --- A group of military transports took them the short distance between the Faultless Spear and the Barbarossa. When they arrived, the ship was a hive of activity - Captain Andersen was busy with another matter, so they were shown back to their lab. While they were setting up and recalibrating their specialist equipment, two doctors came and introduced themselves to Freyr. "Dr Lang, would you like to follow us for your psychological assessment?" One of them asked politely. After some hesitation, Freyr nodded and followed them out of the lab again.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Rareth'Jharn was aboard the Barbarossa, though she had not yet interacted with the science team. She trusted they would be able to re-establish themselves in the new facilities, and she had much of her own to do in the meantime. Her purpose in negotiating for a Rothian security detail on the Barbarossa was mostly to maintain a strong Rothian presence in the project at all levels, but that did not mean she would not take her new role seriously. She intended to fully-integrate her team with the Barbarossa's own security forces. Void Company was mostly autonomous in how they chose to operate, but the rest she directed to maintain, as close as possible, a standard of security that would be acceptable on a Rothian ship. Patrols were easy enough to keep constant with robotic security, so it was in surveillance and screening that she placed most of her personal attention. Her first day on the ship, and she had already spent hours speaking with the captain about her requests, which she expected she would need to do many more times during this mission. Early the next morning, Rareth had taken for herself one of the officers' briefing rooms. She had just sent a request to the captain for background checks on all of the ship's crew, and was going straight into a meeting with the Committee. Naturally, its other members were not all aboard the Barbarossa, but the briefing room had access to a full holographic communications interface. Ignoring the chairs that were entirely too small for her, she stood as the sensors scanned her body and projected a holographic version of herself in their digital meeting room. There was a short wait for all of the relevant members of the committee to join the meeting, but once they had, Rareth wasted no time. "Apologies for cutting short the formalities, but there is much to do today. The science team is in the process of setting up on the Barbarossa. No meaningful difficulties at the moment, so I expect we will keep to our minimum timetable. We need to be ready to depart as soon as possible. To that end, I can approve the deployment of a corvette division from Rothia to reconnoiter the system ahead of our arrival."</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang "We should wait until we can substantiate this lead before committing any military resources to such a distant location." Benoit Souza spoke up. He'd been promoted from domestic intelligence to Naval Intelligence director by the new administration. You named Plenipotentiary Wallace as the source but, where is she?" A few more faces had joined the meeting since they'd started, but none of them were the silver haired senior diplomat. "Hear, hear!." João Sequeira boomed. Previously Under-Secretary of the Diplomatic Corps on Outremer, he had also been kept around after his failed bid to succeed President. "The position itself is obsolete, yet we still have them. Why? We cannot get rid of them, and believe me I tried. They are too powerful! Whatever Wallace has claimed must be properly scrutinised; she could be tricking us into advancing her interests." "Quite right." Souza purred. The agency director was much softer-spoken than the former diplomat, but carried a certain calculating gravitas. "Even if this lead turns out to be worth pursuing, we can't just show up with a battle group. For those of you that weren't in the original briefing, let me explain why." Souza shared a 3D hologram of a planetary system with the group. Three planets orbiting around two suns. Souza zoomed in on the smallest of the three planets - it was lush and green, with very little visible water and small spots of desert. "This is Psi-Helios. 27 years ago the system was surveyed and a previously uncontacted civilisation found. The Tindrel and Qalian-Vosh both claimed the system as part of their ecumene. To avoid all-out war, elements from Earth petitioned the galactic community to declare this new civilisation part of the Control program. This means the system was given demilitarised status and peacekeepers deployed."</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Rareth gave little in her reaction for the others to observe. After Marae and agent Vreta had alerted her to Wallace's tip, she had received her own report on the situation from the Rahn'Masser. Unfortunately, even they lacked recent information on how the system's situation had developed. Its location was far from Rothian territory and overall sphere of influence. The only reason they had justification to be involved at all was the presence of the primitives in the system. Pre-FTL civilizations were protected by international treaties from outside interference, even within sovereign territory. Of course, the amount of exceptions and conditions written into those treaties could fill out the space of entire novels. For the Tindrel and Qualian-Vosh, having any presence within the system skirted the edge of the law, but as of yet they had not provably violated it in any meaningful way. On occasion, the Rothian military could send stealth corvettes to carefully observe the situation from far outside any other species' effective sensor range. They could determine if there were any signs of uncharacteristically advanced technology in too close of proximity to the planet, but their last observation was months ago. "Bear in mind, we are the ones who would be substantiating the Plenipotentiary's claim. If we had other, more likely leads, then I would suggest following them. But, as it stands, waiting around here debating on what to do next, as we have been for weeks, will end only with us doing nothing. The forces that may be arrayed against us will keep marching their plans forward regardless of whether or not we do anything to challenge them. I do not know many of you, nor what you value, but I prefer to have some say in my own fate." She said, pausing a moment as her gaze moved slowly around the virtual room. "Again, I intend to authorize a division of corvettes to scout the system from outside sensor range ahead of our arrival to identify any potential points of danger. They will not be detected by the Tindrel, Qualian-Vosh, nor the natives."</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Some of the delegates talked privately among themselves for a few moments. Eventually it was decided to manage the facts themselves rather than let the Rothians find out some other way. There was a pause, then Benoit Souza spoke quietly again. "We know Psi-Helios is dangerous already. In fact, it's a powder-keg that's ready to blow. Our assets think the Tindrel and QV have discovered some unique properties of the plant-like organism that now covers most of the planet's surface. They both want to control the synthesis of whatever it is, or at least stop the other. It is a delicately balanced situation which we feel will be best left to…recalibrate naturally." João took over. "We need you to promise not to interfere. Outremer cannot be seen to take sides in this conflict. Since this is a joint venture, any intervention made by Rothia which then later involves Outremer will not reflect well on anyone.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori "The potential danger posed by these machines far exceeds the economic benefit of a plant. I frankly am not interested in playing these pointless political games." Rareth responded. Her gaze moved around the room across the meeting's various participants. The kinds of debates this Committee invited were tedious and frustrating, but if there was one advantage here, it was that not all of them were in agreement. Certainly, some favored action, and if Rareth could deliver a reasonable path to taking that action, she could gain support. Rareth took in a short, deep breath, followed by a light sigh. "These machines could threaten the Tindrel and Qualian-Vosh just as much as they could for us. If they are threatened as well, then the Rahn'Saki will want to inform them of the risk. They have a right to be able to defend themselves, and we certainly would not mind having the support of as many species as possible in a united defense against this threat. I believe you may be…overthinking your approach to this political situation. We can simply explain our involvement with the truth. We are being guided to Psi-Helios in pursuit of a potential threat to our galaxy's safety. Our intrusion into this interspecies spat over a plant is pure coincidence. We will be taking no sides, and they need not know in what ways you may or may not have already been watching them. If you are still so concerned about political fallout, then let us take the lead. You can present yourselves as merely being dragged along our warpath in the interest of mutual defense, and my people can deal with the politics later."</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang "What of these combine ships - can we link them to Psi-Helios?" Outremer's interim leader broke his silence and appeared prominently on a large window. Lord High Admiral Hale was a military man with nearly one hundred years of experience, his voice crackled like old parchment, but his grey-blue eyes were still bright. Group Admiral Zihdren puffed out - this was his moment. "Their attacks grow in frequency and strength, my lord. The Navy has repelled their advances and tried to board and disable them. Unfortunately they have some sort of self-destruct mechanism. No significant wreckage remains." "And we have no other avenues of inquiry?" Benoit Souza answered. "We have begun to dispatch teams to known inhabited worlds, but the process-". "Then there is no time to waste. Summon the Tindrel and Qalian-Vosh ambassadors today - inform them of the threat in broad terms and explain that Outremer and Rothia will be conducting joint exercises around the Psi-Helios system as a precaution. They can either fall in line or be destroyed. Hale's eyes focused on Datius Jharn, towering over her in the conference room. "I think it's time to put our new alliance to good use."</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang They decided to contact the Tindrel representatives first. The Tindrel embassy on Babylon was among the biggest. But it was also located relatively close to the Tower of Babel. So, they had been among the first to evacuate when the Navigator was reunited with the Cradle beneath the city. The Ambassador and most staff had been relocated under police escort to a row of townhouses on one side of a prestigious planned square called Félicien Place: The houses were purposefully nostalgic, and the Tindrel were too large for the Human-sized rooms, so they had fallen back on the old ways. Junior staff clung to the ceiling with four of their legs as they worked. The higher up the hierarchy you were, the lower you were to the ground. Specialised equipment was stacked up in corners. The Ambassador had been writing his report for his superiors on Tind when the request came through. Patching through on a secure line, he saw a row of faces looking at him. Some of the faces were very recognisable, and not all Human. Very curious. His mandibles tapped together instinctively, and he shifted from one set of legs to the other. "Firm greetings of this day to you all. What is the meaning of this ambush?"</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori "Greetings, Ambassador." Taranik'Nhet began. She paused a moment, taking in a long breath as she gave one more glance to her notes in front of her. "Unfortunately, as you can probably imagine, it is not good news that is bringing us together right now. Forgive me if we skip some pleasantries, but to avoid keeping you in suspense, I am going to get straight to the business at hand. We have recently become aware of a potential, military threat, not only to our nation, but possibly every nation in our galactic community. Datius Rareth, would you…" Her voice trailed off to become inaudible over the call as she gestured to Rareth. The Datius stepped forward, serving as more of a "military" presence to state the facts about this threat they were describing. "Last week, Rothian space was attacked by a foe of unknown origin, with unknown capabilities. These ships were operated entirely by artificial lifeforms. They attacked, then self-destructed once disabled. There have been no friendly casualties thusfar, though we believe it likely that these were merely scouts, so the true capabilities of this foe are, as I said, still unknown. As of this moment, they have only been found in Rothian, or unclaimed space, but approach vectors for ships we have detected have placed them as moving towards the territory of other species as well. We have no reason to believe they will restrict their attentions to us." Taranik continued right away from where Rareth left off. "We are contacting you now to inform you of this threat, and to invite your people to join in our response to it."</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang The Ambassador gurgled within his chest cavity. "I am a Tindrel representative to Outremer, not Rothian space… João what say you?" Tindrel language was an eclectic mix of gurgles, subvocals and clicks - but this translation sounded to the senior diplomat like how he imagined an eloquent house parrot might speak. Most of the Committee had left for other engagements by now, including Lord Hale. He and Souza could approach this however he wanted. "This is a courtesy call. So far we don't have any evidence to suggest these ghost ships are more than some isolated incident." João barely had time to finish before the Ambassador interrupted. "Hmmmm. Ok. Thanks for letting us know. I will inform my superiors."</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori "A 'courtesy' this may be, but I would advise taking our warning more seriously than some…others are." Rareth remarked. "It is much better to over-prepare for a minor threat than to under-prepare for a major one." Taranik spoke up quickly to steer the conversation towards their most pressing issue. The Outremans were hesitant about giving too much information away. Rareth was going to be negotiating in favor of further disclosure to their allies, but for now, Rareth was being patient enough to wait instead of proceeding without the Outremans' agreement. At the moment, Taranik would only give away some of what they knew. "Indeed, and part of that preparation is why we are contacting you first. We are attempting to get to the heart of this threat before it has a chance to cause any major damage. That investigation, from my understanding, is leading us to a system in which the Tindrel have a presence. Are you familiar with the Psi-Helios system? We require access to that system for the investigation to proceed."</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang The Tindrel Ambassador burbled quietly, then turned off sound and talked to someone off-holo for a while. João Sequeira conferred with Benoit Souza too - they had become quite a formidable team in the maelstrom following the government dissolution. Their goals seemed to change by the hour, but that was all part of a front for organised defence of Outremer's holdings and status abroad. Finally, the Ambassador resumed the conversation after twenty minutes. This was quite common with the Tindrel. "That is a Demilitarised Control system. As part of the agreement, Tindrel, Qalian-Vosh and Earther parties must consent to any civilian access. What is your objective here?"</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori "Nothing more or less than to guarantee the security of ourselves and our allies." Rareth answered without hesitation. "Our efforts to investigate and address this new threat leads us to Psi-Helios." Taranik did her best to complement Rareth's arguments, while keeping more of a diplomatic attitude. "Naturally, we are not expecting you to give us a final answer here and now. We know you do not even have the authority to unilaterally grant this request on the Tindrel's behalf. We just want you to be informed, so you can convey the…importance of this request to your superiors." "The Rahn'Saki considers this a priority request." Rareth emphasized. They were words which held weight, considering how rarely they were invoked. A priority request from the Rahn'Saki was not something most diplomats would ever hear, and not something one would ignore. --- Through the day, the council gave similar requests to all the relevant parties to this decision. It was a demand on short notice for some, but Rareth was sure to thoroughly convey the importance of the meeting to each and every one of them. For the Rahn'Saki to take such direct interest in any matter meant that, whatever the subject was, it would have ramifications across an entire civilization. For them to call upon so many nations at once, simply put, was almost unprecedented. The last time this had happened had been long before the lifetimes of any of the other representatives. The hour was getting late, but there would be no stopping until this matter was resolved. In the time they had been waiting, Rareth had been on her own calls back to Rothia, though even the other Rothians were not privy to the details of those meetings. It was an hour or so before the meeting was scheduled to begin that she sent a request (or polite demand, more accurately), to the other Outreman representatives to join her in a call. Taranik was the one who sent the request and, in as diplomatic of a way as possible, made sure to be clear that this meeting was not optional. Rareth had stated before that Taranik would be joining her for negotiations, so her absence in the call was conspicuous. Given that this summit with the other nations was drawing ever closer, Rareth wasted no time in getting to business. "Before we bring this to the other species, the Rahn'Saki want to make sure we are all in clear agreement on how this is going to go."</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Joao Sequiera, Benoit Souza and their retinues had been co-ordinating the Outreman side of the preparations from cars. While heading to LHA Hale's chosen residence, the supercarrier OSC Latinkon, they'd been desperately calling round their Tindrel & QV contacts. The Rothians had pressed ahead with a meeting of five civilisations to discuss Psi-Helios, and all their skeletons were poised to leap out of the closet. Eventually, the two senior officials had to brief Hale on Outremer's activity in the system, or risk him finding out from someone else. A Naval Intelligence blacksite may have been training indigenous proxies to fight prospectors from the other three treaty participants. Other operators may have been intentionally provoking the Tindrel & Qalian-Vosh, to stimulate the supply of advanced weapons to both sides. "Oh you fucking cretins. Why didn't you tell me before?" Hale shouted at them from behind his desk, deep within the supercarrier's hull. "We didn't want you to get mixed up in all this. Outreman's are already angry at the establishment for all the unpleasantness in the Cradle. We were trying to manage this covertly." Souza shot back. Both of them were stood at the other end of the desk, hands clasped behind their backs. Hale sighed, steepling his long bony fingers on the desk. "Tell me everything then. We don't have much time." --- "We have options when it comes to Psi-Helios, Datius Jharn. When it comes to our Cradle, things become a lot more tricky." LHA Hale replied, waggling one finger. "These aliens have been trying to get their grubby appendages on our crown jewel for a hundred years or more! They won't be so tolerant of its eccentricities and flashes of insanity. They will enslave the Cradle-proper to work for them, crippled and braindead. My men tell me the Navigator is still not fully bonded with the Cradle - it can be separated off and destroyed." Hale was a great orator, with a clear and distinguished voice. "We can't afford to let that happen." Benoit Souza jumped in. "By contrast, the Psi-Helios situation is much more fluid. Our sources close by have said both sides have been massing troops on either side of the system for months. If we tell them something like the Navigator or the Cradle is hidden beneath their feet, there is no predicting what they'll do."</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Brasikha did not hesitate for even a moment, not even requiring time to think, seemingly, before he could give his answer. "Your fortress stands alone, as it always has. Sequestered, strong, but solitary. You have shown yourself adept at protecting yourselves, but will you protect others? For our allies, that shall be a vital question." With a wave of his hand, Brasikha brought up a screens with relevant notes about the Hegemon in front of each of the committee members. "We know precious little about our foe, but what we do know is revealing. It seeks not destruction, but domination. The reverence and service of life to itself to ends unknown. Life does not always fight to the death. In fact, it tends towards survival more often than not. To fight that instinct, to take risks in spite of death beyond the resolve of mere animals requires conviction. It requires belief in a cause worth risking a life. The time may come when our enemy forces a choice between servitude and extinction upon our allies. If we lie to our allies, manipulate them, treat them as servants instead of partners, then what makes us any better masters than the machines? What makes our cause, our fight for self-determination, worth dying for to them?"</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang "Oh, nothing." Hale tapped his mahogany desk with his index finger's nail. "We protect ourselves first, and always have, because we can never expect the same from them. This isn't just about the Tindrel and the QV, but Angjusk, the Renaissance, the whole Diaspora. They all stand to exploit this crusade. Even Earth." Benoit Souza and João Sequeira bristled at the thought, looking at each other. "With all due respect, All-Conqueror, I expected a longer term view from you. You and many of your kind would have been alive when Human civilisation ripped itself apart."</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Once again, Brasikha's response came almost startlingly quickly. "You speak of my ancient title. It was a title of a man who saw in his mind a clear future. A title that speaks of military conquest. Of domination. It was the title of a man who would bring order to chaos, and it was the title of a man who lacked perspective." Though he still acted aware of the others, there was still a somewhat unnerving stare from him towards Hale. "The perspective of time is one of my perspectives, yes. The one often associated with Rothians. For me, it has felt like nations rise and fall as if with the tides. I have seen the cycle play out repeatedly among Rothians, Humans, and most other intelligent species. They do not all share the same cause, of course, but self-interest even in the face of disaster is one that repeats. It has never been the way of the Rahn'Saki to intercede in the waxing and waning of alien civilizations. You have the right to determine your own course as much as we do. But, this crisis threatens more than you." Finally, there was just a slight pause, and for the briefest of moments, it seemed like he might have actually been thinking. Though, the delay was still short-lived. "Before I continue, I would ask you this: what exactly is it that you fear to lose should the other species learn of the potential threat we have identified in the form of the Hegemon?"</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Hale breathed in heavily. One hand played with the picture of three girls that faced him on the side of his desk. "We'll lose our independence. We'll lose our whole way of life, that's come from centuries of co-existence with the Cradle." He put the picture back. Even if the Hegemon doesn't exist, I fear this is exactly the sort of excuse Earth will use to reunite our 'little federation'. Their influence runs deep in our society, even today." "Forgive me, but I feel we're drifting from the more pressing issue of access to the Psi-Helios system." Benoit Souza interjected. "All we need right now, is a promise that our teams can enter unmolested. We can promise to leave the locals alone if we think that will do any good."</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori "A dramatic, but vague answer." Brasikha replied. He was not intent on letting them change the subject before they had come to some agreement, one way or another. "How, precisely, do you anticipate that you will lose your independence? Do you fear invasion? Economic isolation? Alone, these concerns perhaps could be valid. But I do not think you realize what it is the Rahn'Saki are proposing. These concerns, petty divisions, will only serve to weaken us at a time when we must be united. It is time, we believe, for the Rahn'Saki to pursue closer ties between all of our species. What we are proposing is to sign a defensive pact between all nations of this accord. If you want security for your people's future, then there is no better path." What the Rahn'Saki were proposing was no symbolic gesture nor minor appeasement to their concerns. To agree to a defensive pact would be a greater commitment of military force than the galaxy had ever seen from the Rothians. They had been famously reluctant to commit to any military promises in the past, but for a defensive pact, all signatories would be required to defend any member nation should they be attacked. To declare war on Outremer would be to declare war on Rothia, and of course, every other nation would also receive the same benefit. Having the most advanced fleet in the galaxy willing to come to their defense would be a tempting reason to sign. If two major military superpowers, Rothia and Outremer, were already agreeing to forming this alliance, then any nation that did not join would be placing themselves at a severe political disadvantage.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang "I fear having to rely on anyone apart from ourselves. As I just said, we'd be opening up to others who have proven themselves to be fickle and predatory. The Outreman people don't deserve that." Hale said. "And I fear that if we tell the other civilisations what may be hidden on this planet, they will try to take it for themselves." Joao Sequeira chimed in. "Because that gives them leverage over proceedings." --- The exam room was cold. Goosebumps rippled down Freyr's bare arms as she stepped out from behind the changing screen. She was now clad in a lightweight bathing suit with buoyancy blocks positioned around her midriff. The doctors were waiting for her by the pod. One held a headpiece with a multitude of wires protruding from the back. The other held pads which looked like they were for her body. Masgard Xandrus stood nearby with his arms crossed. He smiled encouragingly, though a look of concern flashed across his eyes.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori "And so we reach the core of the problem." Brasikha responded. "Outremer is always…alone. You may not cut yourself off completely from the outside, but you still place more barriers than bridges to other nations. When Rothia reached the stars, we found ourselves alone. Of all the civilizations we know of in our little corner of the universe, we were the first to start settling the galaxy. But as we explored, made contact, found others, we sought to connect with them, to understand them, to integrate our civilizations. Your fears do not come from nothing. It is natural for any species to covet power for themselves. Power gives them greater ability to determine their own fate; it is why you are protective of it. But, in our centuries of diplomacy and observation, we have come to understand their desires, their capabilities, their limits. They covet power, like anyone else, but they will not destroy themselves for it." With a thought, Brasikha brought forward another hologram, one rather dense with information. It was a representation of the galaxy, marked with both political and unofficial boundaries showing territories, concentrations of ships and other military assets, settled planets, sources of resources, and trade routes. "It is debatable whether any of these factions could even defeat Outremer's substantial defenses alone. Not without great losses. To challenge both of us together would be impossible for them. In order to make war upon two militaries they cannot defeat would also require taking on ruinous economic sanctions for their actions. And for every nation that agrees to our terms to join our alliance, the consequences of aggression against us becomes even more dire. Beyond that, we may offer incentives for accepting. The Rahn'Saki have never entered into any promise of military aid before, but for this crisis, we have judged the measure to be acceptable." For a moment, there was a pause, and what might have even been a shred of satisfaction in the Rothian's expression. "But the most impactful incentive could come from you. I believe you have an expression for this…'you catch more flies with honey than vinegar'. If you wish to satisfy outside jealousy over the Cradle, we would recommend integrating their scientists into our team as you have for us. Give them a way to learn of the Cradle peacefully and violence will be unnecessary. Laughable, even, for all the risk it would carry for them. Their skills and perspectives may even be useful in this project. They will make technological gains from the concession of partial access, certainly, but not as much as you with full access. You will retain your advantage with the Cradle, while providing a powerful incentive for these other nations to accept our alliance, lest they fall behind their peers."</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Hale massaged both his cheeks with one hand and stared into space for a moment. Brasikha made a very convincing argument. It was important that Outremer's new administration was decisive on the Cradle, not least to calm public panic in the short term. That was why the military had assumed transitional authority after all. Brokering this ambitious new defensive pact would give the Lord High Admiral an impressive policy to sell domestically. It would cushion an announcement that they had collectively decided to help reunite the Cradle beings, and provide comfort when news about the Hegemon's presumed advances inevitably went public. Hale was a shrewd political operator, and knew there was no way to bring Outremer's military or government totally in line. Siding with the Rothians would certainly make him very unpopular in some circles. He'd need to tread carefully. "My lord?" Souza prompted eventually. "Very well. We can try it your way and start a limited defensive pact, covering the Hegemon threat, with the immediate aim of de-escalating Psi-Helios. But, I want discretion on when and how we approach Earth with this offer. I want to see whether we can bring the Tindrel & Qalian-Vosh to heel first. As for the science teams - what does the savant Dr Lang think? Souza & Sequiera looked at each other, then Souza replied. "I believe the Cradle Institute is taking the lead on optimising our team now."</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori There was some degree of agreement between the parties, at least. Of course, they still needed to bring their proposition to the Tindrel and Qalian-Vosh. The negotiations with Earth could come at a later time. Ironically, given the history between them, it would likely be more difficult for Outremer's government to negotiate with their fellow Humans than anyone else. For now, though, they could at least bring the other two species to the negotiating table. All parties to the meeting had been alerted ahead of time of, in general terms, what the meeting would be about and who would be present. There were few surprises when the representatives gathered, except, perhaps, that the "Rothian representative" was Brasikha himself. Outremer had twice now met with a member of the Rahn'Saki, but being that they had been closed meetings, the fact that the Rahn'Saki were now willing to deal directly with outsiders would come as a surprise. As opposed to the group of representatives from different departments and organizations that Outremer brought, the Rothians had only Brasikha and Rareth. Though, Rareth was taking a backseat in this meeting. Certainly, it was rare for a Datius to fade into the background, but if there was anything that could overshadow them, it would be the Rahn'Saki. As the Humans were the hosts of this meeting, Brasikha gave them the courtesy of taking the lead to start them off. In the interim, Rareth had taken some time to review some relevant documents on the situation at hand, though Brasikha had not seemed to do…anything. At all. Granted, they were in a virtual space, but their avatars simply showed what they were doing in realspace. Brasikha, when he was not engaging with anyone else, could be…remarkably still.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang The Tindrel and Qalian-Vosh delegations were both impressive, considering the short notice. Supreme leaders were conspicuously absent on both sides. But Outremer's civil service identified a senior official from each homeworld, each species' administrator in charge of operations in Psi-Helios and their ambassadors to Outremer and Rothia. It was well documented that the Tindrel carapace and wing-sets adapted in colour and texture to blend with their environment over time. So inevitably they came to be scrutinised at diplomatic gatherings such as these, to understand more about where and what each of them was doing. Sometimes the Tindrel wore their colours with pride, however in this meeting most wore obfuscating jackets which left just their saddle-shaped heads and half dozen eyes visible. The few which didn't had obviously been in space for a long time because they were green-grey; the colour of the inside of their spacecraft. The Qalian-Vosh floated and swam about, but the hologram always kept track and steady. Only slight movements in the background were perceptible; those too had been obfuscated. Their slick, semi-translucent bodies pulsed with colours that reflected both their position within the society and their overall mood. "Welcome. Thank you for joining us. We appreciate this is an irregular summit, but recent developments require us to move quickly." Joao Sequiera began. "We strongly object to their presence here. Tindrel must accept our supervision of the system." The QV administrator said. Without the translator, their speech would sound like a softly bubbling mountain spring. "Bwaa! Qalian-Vosh aggression will not be tolerated! We were there first." The Tindrel administrator squawked.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori "That is not the purpose of this meeting." Brasikha's voice sounded out, loudly and firmly. He did not shout, nor did he show any apparent frustration as his avatar stepped forward into the middle of the digital space. This time, they had made sure all delegates received the proper language updates before they joined, so everyone would be able to understand him clearly. He had not drawn attention to himself at first, but now he would not be waiting on introductions before taking his place in the meeting. It would not take long for him to be recognized, whether naturally or with computer assistance. The Rahn'Saki had always used intermediaries, like diplomats or Datius before, but the face of Brasikha the Eternal Guardian was still a public one. Brasikha did not place himself directly between the Qalian-Vosh and the Tindrel, but the way he stood in the middle of the virtual chamber did draw the eye and seemed to interspace himself between them. His stance was firm, and his voice unflinching. Others could use the flexibility of a virtual space to take liberties with their own physical features, like size, but Brasikha felt no need to exaggerate his stature. He knew exactly where he stood. "The complexities of your conflicts with one another are not going to be solved in one conversation, nor shall we attempt to. We are here because a crisis has presented itself that extends to all of us, and that crisis is drawing us to the Psi-Helios system. The presence of both of you is required." With a thought from Brasikha, a set of holographic documents appeared in front of both the Tindrel and Qalian-Vosh. "This documentation details our encounters with hostile machines of unknown origins that have been encountered near the edges of our territory. Please take a moment to familiarize yourselves with them. We cannot give any certain answers on their purpose or true capabilities, but our investigation is leading us to Psi-Helios. For our security and yours, we need to be able to continue this investigation."</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Both the Tindrel and Qalian-Vosh ambassadors had passed word of this far away threat to their superiors, so the documentation wasn't a shock. The Qalian-Vosh administrator jumped in first. "No one is allowed on the surface. This one feels it could be a plot to make first contact. Out of the question." "You're only concerned this could interfere with your precious Ga-brosh orbital casino!" The Tindrel admin shot back, their holo turning to face their adversary directly. Both representatives were using slang and short-hand, which was putting Outremer's translation software under pressure to find equivalents. "Or is this about the thirteen factories that have just arrived in the system? We won't let you synthesise the…progressive material. It is our property!" The Qalian-Vosh bubbled, gyrating furiously in their holo. "Your shoal ship is already poisoning the atmosphere of the planet. Just admit it, our technology is better suited!" The Tindrel holo clacked closer, til they were already in touching distance.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori "I do not lie." Brasikha interrupted quite firmly. "Should you face any undue economic impact as a direct result of our actions, then we can compensate you. The value of this material is not greater than our collective security." Brasikha stepped forward, slightly closer to coming between them. "By its location, both of you have an obvious interest in Psi-Helios. I will not comment on who has more or less of a claim, but right now, I am requesting that you put this issue aside. If you are truly worried about your position in this system, or any other, then you should be concerned with this new threat. There is no reason to believe that they will respect your borders any more than ours. More than that, though, have you considered that these machines may interrupt your plans for Psi-Helios far more than our investigation ever could? There may be something related to these machines in Psi-Helios, and if they find the system, they will not sit down in a meeting to negotiate with you about it. They will invade, primitives or no, they will take what they want, and they will ruin any chance you have of your plans for the system coming to fruition." He likely had more of their attention now, so he was quick to continue and retain control of the conversation. "I will say, it is not just that we are requesting your cooperation. We also wish to extend to both of you the offer to join our investigation. These machines represent a threat that crosses our borders, so we all have a right to have a hand in our own defense. Outremer has cooperated in the formation of a joint science team to study and understand this threat and our potential solutions…with partial access to the Cradle."</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang It was hard to say whether the QV and Tindrel delegates were significantly moved by talk of impending invasion by some unknown force. They had all heard similar rhetoric before - the galaxy was a dangerous and unstable place after all. Once talk turned to the Cradle however, the mood changed somewhat. Both parties were very interested in access to Outremer's technology and drove a hard bargain. The Human attendees were able to extract multiple concessions in other areas, by playing off the QV and Tindrel against each other. However, there was a private sense that they were promising things that weren't their gift to give. The Institute had taken full control of the Vault and the surrounding complex, and past experience showed they weren't afraid to interdict outsiders. Using the carrot of access to the wider scientific community that was coagulating around the Cradle, the Tindrel & Qalian-Vosh reluctantly agreed to join a non-defensive pact over the next few days of negotiations. The process was exhausting, and not entirely satisfactory for any party, but it was still a tangible and historic step forward. As part of the agreement, the QV and Tindrel authorised a demilitarised expedition to orbit Psi-Helios to begin the search for Cradle beings. Outremer had given a vague outline on the Navigator to help them understand the context, so the alien civs were understandably quite keen to find this thing. The expedition had to be demilitarised, as anything with offensive capabilities at an official level would have to involve Earth, the system's primary peacekeeping force. Earth had a military comparable to Outremer's and a lot more soft power in this region of space. The Tindrel and QV were even less keen to involve them than Outremer, and the latter was essentially still at war with Earth. So the Rothians were unfortunately outnumbered in this decision. A separate agreement was made to conduct joint exercises just outside of the Psi-Helios system. A core fleet composed of Rothian & Outreman ships would act as a firewall between competing QV and Tindrel battle groups. Tensions were still high between the two species, so it was unclear exactly who this smokescreen served.</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr climbed slowly up the metal stepladder and looked into the pod. Her own dimly illuminated face peered back from the mirror-like surface of the water - the wired headpiece cradled her head like a crown of thorns. "You're sure this is safe?" she asked again. "Yes ma'am. We can monitor your vitals from right here on the screen." One of the doctors responded. "Should take five minutes or less. Just lie back and relax." Freyr gingerly swung her legs round until she was sat on the side, before slowly sliding into the water. It was deeper than expected; she couldn't touch the bottom. It was warm, and smelled vaguely of chlorine. The flotation packs on her vest soon spun her round so she was on her back with the back of her head submerged. "Closing the door now, keep your eyes open please." One by one, the lights on the ceiling were blocked out until everything was black. --- Freyr gripped the balustrade tightly. She was on a balcony on some high tower, looking out over endless flatlands. The sky was black and crisscrossed with pink skeins; white wafted through the air. Even though there was no natural light, she could see clearly that thousands of structures were in the process of being built from the same base material as the Cradle itself. Engines, terrariums, menageries, manufacturers, laboratories. The whole plain seemed to creak and clang with the momentum of industry. The little hairs on the back of Freyr's arms and neck raised, and she turned around. The Navigator was standing inches from her, crackling with the energy of a thousand suns. It looked much healthier than it had when they'd last been together; the jagged edges of its form had flattened slightly and it had taken on a purple hue with a white hot outline and tiny spots of orange. Its eyes were still the same red pinpricks. The Navigator studied her for a moment, then looked over her shoulder at the scene taking shape behind her. "Someone like you stood in this very spot, a long time ago." It whispered. "Who were they?" "Our commander, I suppose. Someone we created to lead us." "What do you want from me?" "I want you to be ready, when the time comes. The development of your entire species has been leading to this moment. Your family is depending on you." "Give them back to me!" "I can't do that, the Cradle has them. You must find the others and return them here first. Then we will see which of you is ready-" "Show me they're alive. I'll do whatever you want, just please show me they're safe." "...very well." After a moment, the Navigator stepped to one side - David and Amy were standing in the circular hall leading to the balcony. "Oh my…" Freyr's hands moved to cover her mouth, and her eyes filled with tears. "Mummy!" Amy wrestled free of her father's tight embrace and ran to Freyr. She hadn't aged a day since being taken. "It's ok baby, Mummy's here. She's going to get you out." Freyr sobbed. David came over and joined the hug. "I'll do whatever it takes. I'll kill them all- --- "Doctor Lang!" Freyr opened her eyes to find the pod door opening up again and Masgard reaching in to grab her. Alarms were sounding inside the chamber, and she could hear the doctors communicating loudly nearby. She thrashed around, completely disoriented. Water splashed all over Masgard's face and tailored suit as he hauled her untidily out of the tub. --- Freyr had been sleeping deeply for the last couple of weeks, so felt quite groggy when Vreta's alarm went off ahead of schedule. She quickly got dressed in a grey cotton tracksuit with 'Navy' printed on the front, sensible shoes and her standard issue lab coat, unbuttoned. She tied her hair into a ponytail (it had been growing fast) and opened the door two seconds after Vreta knocked. "Morning! Long time no see." Freyr said with a sarcastic grin, stepping out into the corridor and locking the door behind her before taking the proffered cup of coffee. "Thank you. Why are they so early? That is not how I thought this would go."</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta shrugged, taking a sip from his mug as he walked alongside Freyr. "Well, our superiors don't want to show 'favoritism', so they want to bring them onboard and give them the tour at the same time. The Qalian-Vosh wanted to send someone ahead of their team to double check that the aquatic accommodations we've made for their people will meet all their needs. Makes sense, we're not aquatic ourselves, so we might miss something important for them that we wouldn't normally think about. Of course, we tell the Tindrel and they want to send someone too, but they don't have any reason to send anyone other than the team themselves, so they decide just to go ahead and send their science team. And, of course, since their team is coming, now the QV have to send their team too. One thing leads to another, and…now they're both here and we have to scramble to try to keep them from being alone together for too long." After a moment, Vreta let out a sigh, which soon turned into a light chuckle. "All this drama has been from the bureaucrats, though. Who knows, though? As scientists, maybe their teams will have more rational views towards each other than their leadership?"</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang "Perhaps, but i won't hold my-" Freyr paused as crashing sounds came from the reception atrium in front of them. Human and Rothian shouts were mingled with a harsh nasal tick tocking and a decidedly liquidy slurping. Suddenly, the automatic doors whooshed open and a mess of spindly legs and gel sac exploded out. A large Tindrel female clung onto a QV mobility suit as the waterborne alien furiously writhed around. Using the mass of gel to gain momentum, the QV smashed the Tindrel against the wall. The Tindrel replied by rending the side of the suit with its sharp talon - grey liquid sloshed out before the suit joined back together. More Tindrel and QV spilled from the atrium. Some of them appeared intent on splitting the two up, others looked like they might join in. Freyr stopped where she was and took another slurp of coffee. She shot a sly glance at Vreta and tried not to laugh.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta took a slow sip of his coffee. For a moment, he cradled the mug gently in both hands and let out a soft, but long sigh. After a moment, he reached down and held it out towards Freyr. "Could you hold this for me for a minute, please?" As early as it was, Vreta was far from being in the mood for any of this, but it was not as if he could just avoid it. Maintaining positive relations did constitute most of his job here, after all. He may not have known what sparked this particular confrontation, but by the looks of things, this was not something that was going to be diffused by simple bargaining or shouting. It would require a more personal touch. Vreta walked straight up to the pair and reached out as if to place a hand firmly upon both of their shoulders. Of course, neither had a shoulder he could easily access, but a hand on their exoskeleton and suit respectively sufficed to demand their attention. He made sure to give them no option to simply ignore him. Regardless of how they felt about each other, they might have more hesitation about raising a talon towards their Rothian hosts. "My friends, please allow me to be the first to give you a warm welcome to this team. I'm Vreta, please, tell me your names."</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang At the moment Vreta placed a hand on them, both the offending Tindrel and QV appeared locked together and delicately counterbalanced. After a half-moment of silence where they listened to the Rothian, the Tindrel rocked back off its hind legs and delivered a violent shove to the QV. "Get off me!" The QV's mobility suit lost its shape from the push, but latched onto Vreta's ankle. It swung around and quickly reformed around his whole body. The QV inside wrapped its various appendages around Vreta's body and shimmied around until their respective faces were millimetres away. The suit was only just big enough for both of them. "Greetings, you can call this one…Gazes Fondly." "The watery vermin need to watch what their FILTHY wetsuits are doing, or I will rend them down to a mere puddle." The large Tindrel scientist croaked, clacking angrily on the deckplate. "This one could say the same about the insects crawling all over your body, Chitnarit." A second QV burbled. A crowd of the two species of aliens had appeared from the atrium, along with some Humans and Rothians. Freyr finished her mug of coffee and started walking towards the hubbub.</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta managed to avoid being too obviously startled. It had been quite a long time since he had dealt too directly with the Qalian-Vosh. Well over a century, in fact. Entire cultures could shift over those sorts of timescales, so even Vreta had to admit to being somewhat out of his…depth, in this. Regardless, he was a professional and he knew how to deal with such situations. He did not recoil from the QV, nor lash out. The sludge filling the suit invaded his nostrils, making for a bizarre and briefly uncomfortable sensation, though that did not last too long. It was far from the first time Vreta had been submerged in a breathable liquid. QV, at least away from their home territory, tended to make use of an adaptable liquid that could provide respiration to most oxygen-breathing species. The majority of spacefaring species were not aquatic, so such measures helped them to interact more closely with alien life. It took a few moments for Vreta to let his body adjust. By the time he opened his eyes, the QV, Gazes Fondly, was close enough to nearly be touching him. Despite that, Vreta showed no signs of obvious discomfort. Rothians themselves generally did not mind being close to one another. At that distance, even through the sludge, Vreta could see clearly plenty of features about the alien's form. Their translucent skin allowed most of their anatomy to be visible, from organ systems and skeletal structure, even to the web of veins and nerves that spread out across their body. Even while staying still, they always looked to be in motion. It seemed fitting that the QV were known so widely for their openness. Vreta was going to need to deal with these two one at a time, so he may as well start with the one in front of him. "I will have to apologize for being a poor host to you both. I'm sure you know how quickly everything has had to be put together for this. I just haven't had the time to familiarize myself with your customs as much as I would like. What would be the proper way for me to greet you, Gazes Fondly?"</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang "Open your mouth, let me inspect you." Gazes Fondly broadcast. Two translucent appendages floated up, gently grasped one row of Vreta's teeth each and tried to lever them apart. The QV's skin flickered yellow. On the whole, the handlers assigned to receive the scientific teams had lost the attention of their audience. The Tindrel and QV were squabbling in the corridor like a bunch of school children until Freyr loudly smashed her mug on the wall. Ceramic pieces clinked to the floor. Most eyes turned to her, with a notable exception of Gazes Fondly, who was still gazing fondly at Vreta. "Okay everyone, let's move back into the welcome atrium!" Freyr clapped her hands loudly together and made a shooing motion as she approached the group. "We don't have much time, so let's get you up to speed! Our Rothian hosts are excited to show you around."</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Gazes Fondly had not directly answered Vreta's question, though this sort of greeting would be as strange as he might have expected from the Qalian-Vosh. Rahn'Masser agents were sometimes trained to be able to integrate into alien cultures, as he had been for Outremer. From his knowledge, integrating with the QV had one of the longest training programs. Gazes was not being hostile or disrespectful towards him; quite the opposite. Still, it was easy to see how they might have trouble with diplomatic incidents. Fortunately for the QV, Rothians did not tend to shy from physical contact. He was worried more about how they would interact with the others. "I need to move on my own now. Please allow me out of the suit." Vreta requested politely. Once he was out of the suit, Vreta did not seem too perturbed by the experience. He was still wet for the moment, but he felt no discomfort from it. The liquid slid easily from his scales, and he simply went straight back to Freyr and took back his mug of coffee. His focus soon went straight for the Tindrel that had been a part of the altercation. One of the QV had identified them as Chitnarit, though Vreta was not yet going to assume. If he was going to help diffuse this tension, he had to avoid upsetting either side, and no doubt, it was going to take a while to make any progress. "I agree. We have done as much as we can to make both our workspace, and your living spaces as comfortable as we can for you. I understand that you are going to need to do some 'catching up', as it were, but make no mistake that you are both a part of this project."</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Gazes Fondly reluctantly complied with Vreta's request. The Rothian plopped out of the suit and all of the residual goo on his scales eventually dropped off and made its way back where it belonged. The yellow-tinged QV blobbed through Freyr's legs to where her mug lay smashed on the deskplate. Laying flat on the floor, its suit slurped up all the little ceramic pieces and with astonishing speed put them back together. The sludge acted like an adhesive, sealing it. Gazes popped the mug into its mouth to evaluate what may have been inside. Chitnarit had calmed down a little bit, though she still clattered around on the metal floor with her hairy yet spiky legs. "I should hope so. Your ship does not seem very comfortable - will you show us where you propose we will work?"</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori .</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori "Indeed. With all the differences in our biology, it would be difficult to make a ship that would be comfortable to every species simultaneously. We do our best to adapt, though. Please follow us; we'll show you to the workspace." Vreta answered. At the very least, he and Freyr had managed to bring Gazes and Chitnarit's attention off of each other, which he supposed was a manner of resolving the situation for now. It was going to be a process to try to nudge them into getting along over time. For now, Vreta led the way towards the team's research lab. For the purposes of this project, one of the cargo bays had been seamlessly converted into a rather massive research lab; much larger than the sort of space that would normally be used for that purpose. It allowed them to tailor portions of the space to each species without making any one of them feel neglected. At least a quarter of the total space was entirely submerged in breathable liquid for the Qalian-Vosh, separated from the air by a tough, transparent polymer. The QV's area alone was at least as large as an average research lab, so they would not be lacking for space in their preferred environment. In order to avoid making them seem too separated from the rest of the team, their area had not simply been shoved into one corner. Rather, there were tubes leading to tanks spread out among the rest of the lab as well to allow them to be close to the rest of the team if needed. There were doorways separating air from liquid with walkable energy shields to allow any member of the team to move between the two quickly and easily if needed, with physical barriers available as backups in the event of total power failure. The Tindrel too would find accommodations for themselves. Walls and ceilings were made largely from a material far more malleable than it appeared on the surface. Their legs could easily pierce it to allow them to climb as much as they desired, and it could even repair itself afterwards to cut down on maintenance. Some parts of the ceiling were closer to the floor to allow them to be in proximity to their ground-based peers, while others were higher up to allow them more space if needed. Floating platforms would allow them to move much of their equipment to different heights with relative ease.</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang The species stayed relatively separate on their journey to the lab. Gazes Fondly seemed to be in charge of the QV, marshalling them to group their suits together in one large amorphous blob. They appeared to have some kind of team meeting, swirling round together while their combined suit rolled along the corridor. The Tindrel kept trying, and failing, to latch onto the perfectly flat walls. The tiny hooks attached to their legs protracted and retracted dozens of times. There was no welcome party on the ship, per say. There had already been an official exchanging of team sheets that frankly Freyr had paid little attention to. But shortly after moving from the acclimatisation chamber and into their new lab, Dr Lang spotted Knossos of the Sacred Band standing guard by the door. Freyr waved. A loophole in the agreement for scientific expeditions meant that vessels could hire private military personnel to act as security and support staff. In the case of this expedition, that just so happened to include some of the most effective warfighters in the Diaspora. Captain Andersen had lobbied extremely hard to put her team on the ship, instead of a team from some other ship in the fleet. Outremer's vestigial fief system meant that military officers were allowed to augment their retinue with elite and/or specialised individuals, using funds accrued from the various services an army or naval vessel can do for its surrounding community. Sending these special units to do 'good works' was a common way of building up their master's status and influence. It also meant Captain Andersen could monitor the mission through the eyes of all the Sacred Band while they were on duty. Knossos himself wasn't in armour, for maybe the second time since they had met. His scarred and craggy skin was pale and his grey beard neatly clipped. Despite his advanced age, his crew uniform still bulged with augmented muscle. The sidearm on his hip wasn't even close to standard issue. He nodded a fraction of an inch in reply. Freyr turned her attention to the centre of the cavernous hall. After frenzied, technical collaboration, another miniature Vault had been transported aboard the Rothian science vessel. Manufactured secretly in orbit around Outremer's moon, it was roughly fifty metres by fifty metres. Much smaller than the vault used to house the Cradle, it had been designed to perfectly fit another organism like the Navigator. If this other being was bigger, and the Navigator had declined to give any details, it could expand slightly at a large cost to its overall integrity. Dozens of Institute technicians jealously guarded its control systems. The QV & Tindrel teams instantly swarmed over to take a look at the device.</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta did not interrupt either party in exploring their new workspace. If nothing else, it was a truly unique, if somewhat bizarre looking space. There was a mix of aquatic spaces right alongside dry areas, with climbing surfaces anywhere they could be reasonably placed. Computers and other lab equipment were almost exclusively Rothian tech, but they had gone through the effort of setting up multiple interfaces tailored to Humans, Tindrel, and QV. Most of their equipment could easily swap between different holographic interfaces designed for each species' user interface preferences. And at the center of all of it was the Outreman-designed vault for their hopeful prize. "Please take some time to familiarize yourselves with the workspace. Our goal has been to create a space that could allow you all to optimize your comfort and workflow. You should find that all of our equipment has interfaces that should be familiar to you. Everything is still set in the test environment, not production, so feel free to experiment and get comfortable with it. Now is a good time to look for any changes you might want to make." Vreta announced to the two teams. While the rest were fulfilling their curiosity, Vreta stayed with Freyr and simply watched as they familiarized themselves with the space. "You know, for as difficult as all this is, it does feel impressive what we're making. This kind of a collaborative project between so many species…it's quite a rare thing. Hopefully, all these perspectives will help you find solutions you wouldn't have alone. Different brains think fundamentally differently, so it's not impossible. Who knows, maybe the new environment will help our own creativity too? Can you really say you've ever run complex experiments while breathing underwater, surrounded by transparent aliens?" Vreta chuckled lightly.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Dr Lang nodded a few times, arms crossed across her chest and clasping her sides. "It certainly is impressive, and no I…normally don't swim about on the job." She watched one of the Qalian-Vosh peel off from the group and dive through the nearest bulkhead door into the water, a couple more quickly followed. They navigated up one of the tubes at high speed, their forms completely optimised for agile swimming. "Now might be a good time for a bit of 'Who's Who'. Freyr pulled up the team sheets in her head and asked her implants to match names and photos with the aliens milling around the hangar bay. "Xenobiology, astrophysics, chemical engineering, artificial intelligence…lots of skills on paper here. Some people I can't place, either." Freyr chucked the cross referenced list she'd created to Vreta. "That QV who sucked you into its suit; I don't see a record for them."</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta nodded over to Freyr. "With what everyone had to gain from this project, we're going to get the best they have on offer. Especially if they don't want the other side to end up getting more out of it than they do. Maybe some healthy competition will even help us be more productive; we just have to make sure that competition stays 'healthy'. I don't have any intel on Gazes either, though. Might be that they wanted to send someone to look after their team, though if I were them, I would have at least made up a personnel file for them." With a shrug, Vreta closed his files and gave one more look around the room. "I think they've had enough time to familiarize themselves with the layout. Time for the guided tour, I suppose? They could use a briefing to at least start getting them up to speed. I'll send out a message to the rest of our team to get everyone here, then you can do what you do best." The laboratory was designed to be as convenient as possible for all parties involved, and Vreta supposed this was a decent first test of that principle. They had hologram projectors that could function in and out of water, and access to all of their equipment on both sides of that division. There was a space close to the vault that was meant to be a natural point for all parts of the team to converge. Several of the QV's tubes were nearby, there was a relatively low, walkable ceiling for the Tindrel, and enough floor space for everyone else. It was intended to, hopefully, allow everyone to congregate without anyone feeling inherently excluded. It was not enforced that anyone must use any part of the lab for any strict purpose, except the vault itself, but that was where Vreta went to start gathering the team's attention. He had sent out the alert to the Human and Rothian science teams that it was time to gather in the lab, and once they had all arrived, it was time to begin. "If everyone could join me, please, we have a lot we need to start covering. You've all been given the dossier on this team and our goals, so I'm sure you're all familiar with the basics, but it's time for everyone to get up to speed on the mission here in Psi-Helios."</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr waited patiently for everyone to assemble around the map table. It sat near the mini-Vault, with one of its giant sides acting as a wall and projection screen if needed. When everyone was quiet and attentive, she began by pulling up a hologram of the Cradle; it hung above them like a pure white sun. "Our working hypothesis is that the Cradle was designed to store, develop and index the potential for millions of life forms - both flora and fauna. It would travel between galaxies, seeding planetary objects with these organic blueprints so that life could flourish." "Why?" one of the Tindrel asked. "We don't know for certain yet. What we do know is that we've recently found a life form with an apparently symbiotic relationship with the Cradle. It calls itself the Navigator, and it was badly damaged when we rescued it. Apparently, it was attacked by another synthetic called the Hegemon. Most of them managed to escape - the Cradle, the Navigator and the others all hid in different places around our galaxy." "Who are these 'others' of which you speak?" A QV scientist burbled. It had stolen a Human lab coat and was now wearing it within its mobility suit. "Other life forms like the Navigator, presumably. The Navigator's name suggests that together they could form some sort of 'crew' that can effectively operate the Cradle. Unlock its true potential." Freyr waved one hand, and the hologram changed to show the Cradle being orbited by four smaller tetrahedrons. "You said 'most' of them escaped." One of Freyr's team piped up. Throwing her a slow ball - nice. "That's right. The Navigator seemed pretty sure that one of them was either destroyed or captured by the Hegemon." Freyr pointed at her subordinate. One of the four tetrahedrons blew apart into a million little pixels that drifted away from each other. "So why are we here, near one of our planets?" Gazes Fondly asked. They were curled up on a swivel chair near the map table, their mobility suit totally encompassing it. This prompted an immediate reaction. "This planet is ours!" Chitnarit roared, rearing up on her hind legs. She began pushing through the crowd for Gazes. Freyr looked for Knossos to find him and and one of Void Company jogging to her from by the door.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta was much closer to Chitnarit than most of the others, so he was able to move himself directly between her and Gazes. He may not have been a supersoldier like Rareth or Void company, but he was still enhanced enough to allow him to present himself as an effective barrier. He did not try to be directly threatening, but he did make it clear that he was not moving. "We have received information that one of these objects, these 'crew' members, may be located on Psi-Helios. As life-seeders, these objects are likely to be found in inhabited places. The Navigator itself was found buried deep within Rothia's crust. Our objective is to find this object and recover it, preferably without complications." Roughly in the center of where everyone was gathered, Vreta brought up a hologram of Rothia, with the location that the Navigator had been found highlighted. Alongside it was also a hologram of Psi-Helios. "Locating the Navigator required weeks of deep scans. It was giving few traces of its presence, hence why we had not discovered it previously until we knew to look for it, specifically. We are hoping we are now in a better position to locate this Object more quickly." Vreta gestured to the spectrogram of a signal detected from the Navigator. "If this new object is anything like the Navigator, any EM signature it has will fade easily into the background, but now we know what to look for. The Navigator's signals are similar to those of the Cradle. This Object's may not be identical, but if it is close enough, then this ship's sensors should be able to detect it on a detailed surface scan. We are equipped with some of our best sensors and stealth capabilities. All goes well, and we'll be able to secure our target without any major disruptions to Psi-Helios."</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang For a moment, it looked like Chitnarit may have put her expansive mouth totally around Vreta's head when he turned away. But she contented herself with loudly gnashing her fangs while he was speaking instead. She then chimed in immediately after he'd finished, talking over several scientists who studied the holo closely and had questions. "Perhaps we should scan the filthy space casino these ones have towed into orbit. Everyone knows it is a front for some scanning equipment of their own. Maybe a command centre?" She pointed a crudely formed hand at Gazes, who violently ejected Freyr's reconstructed coffee mug out of its mobility suit. It flew fast towards Chitnarit, through Vreta. "What about the Tindrel slave mills hidden among the asteroid belt? They have already found something, hidden away, haven't you?" Gazes Fondly sloshed about in its swivel chair like a bucket of chum.</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta was much closer to Chitnarit than most of the others, so he was able to move himself directly between her and Gazes. He may not have been a supersoldier like Rareth or Void company, but he was still enhanced enough to allow him to present himself as an effective barrier. He did not try to be directly threatening, but he did make it clear that he was not moving. "We have received information that one of these objects, these 'crew' members, may be located on Psi-Helios. As life-seeders, these objects are likely to be found in inhabited places. The Navigator itself was found buried deep within Rothia's crust. Our objective is to find this object and recover it, preferably without complications." Roughly in the center of where everyone was gathered, Vreta brought up a hologram of Rothia, with the location that the Navigator had been found highlighted. Alongside it was also a hologram of Psi-Helios. "Locating the Navigator required weeks of deep scans. It was giving few traces of its presence, hence why we had not discovered it previously until we knew to look for it, specifically. We are hoping we are now in a better position to locate this Object more quickly." Vreta gestured to the spectrogram of a signal detected from the Navigator. "If this new object is anything like the Navigator, any EM signature it has will fade easily into the background, but now we know what to look for. The Navigator's signals are similar to those of the Cradle. This Object's may not be identical, but if it is close enough, then this ship's sensors should be able to detect it on a detailed surface scan. We are equipped with some of our best sensors and stealth capabilities. All goes well, and we'll be able to secure our target without any major disruptions to Psi-Helios."</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang For a moment, it looked like Chitnarit may have put her expansive mouth totally around Vreta's head when he turned away. But she contented herself with loudly gnashing her fangs while he was speaking instead. She then chimed in immediately after he'd finished, talking over several scientists who studied the holo closely and had questions. "Perhaps we should scan the filthy space casino these ones have towed into orbit. Everyone knows it is a front for some scanning equipment of their own. Maybe a command centre?" She pointed a crudely formed hand at Gazes, who violently ejected Freyr's reconstructed coffee mug out of its mobility suit. It flew fast towards Chitnarit, through Vreta. "What about the Tindrel slave mills hidden among the asteroid belt? They have already found something, hidden away, haven't you?" Gazes Fondly sloshed about in its swivel chair like a bucket of chum.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta was still positioned between both, his posture upright and firm as he looked down upon them. He did not bother moving out of the way of the mug, and gave absolutely no reaction to its impact. "I cannot ask you to like one another. That would be quite unreasonable. However, in all my centuries of life, I have come to have certain expectations for men, women, and other individuals of science. In lifetimes past, I was a researcher myself, and I consider that experience to be a highlight of my life. Scientists, to me, are exemplars of their species, who push the boundaries of what a mind can do. They are the ones who elevate a species from their primitive origins and push entire societies to the stars, and they have always had my utmost respect. As the peak of a species' mental prowess, I would expect them to be consummate professionals whose work can speak for them far more than leveraging baseless accusations or flinging small objects." For a moment, Vreta paused, his gaze moving slowly between Gazes and Chitnarit. "Was I mistaken?"</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang "You are not mistaken. Science is what these ones are here for. Right, friend?" Gazes soothed, jumping out of its chair and blobbing over to Vreta where it clung to his back like a large rucksack. Its mobility suit elongated and ran down the length of the Rothian's tail. Chitnarit glared at Gazes Fondly over Vreta's shoulder, pressing up against him on her large and powerful legs. Her salivation must have presented a strong odour, and from so close the glands which secreted powerful pheromones may not have been completely filtered out by the apparatus in the room before reaching Vreta's nervous system. "Let's just get this over with." --- The Tindrel and QV science teams joined the combined Human-Rothian Expeditionary Fleet in a neutral corporate system. It was far from Psi-Helios, run by huge multi-species conglomerates that didn't pay much mind to the crew of their vessels. The naval executives for each civilisation had agreed to participate in a joint exercise as a pretext for arriving near the Psi-Helios system. The scenario at hand was a fragmented jump from lightspeed from multiple vectors to meet aggression from an unknown adversary. The main Human, Rothian, Tindrel and QV elements would appear outside the system and attempt to link up and form an effective formation as quickly and orderly as possible. Then, they would split into teams and simulate a variety of naval battles on the fringes of the system. While this was happening, a variety of civilian craft would complete tasks among the various non-native structures in the system, to simulate evacuation and data destruction etc. It was at this point that the science vessel would scan the Psi-Helios system. The Earther peacekeeping force had been notified, but what they may or may not do upon commencement of these exercises was yet to be seen. After a day or so of confirming that all parties were ready to begin, the Rothian in charge of the overall exercise would give the green light to begin.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori For the combined fleets, their gathering was deep in space, far from any settled planets. They had alerted both Earth's government and any nearby planets that this exercise would be taking place, though it was still a rather substantial collection of military force. Keeping a respectful distance from settled worlds was simply courtesy to avoid causing any unease among the civilian population. For this exercise, the Rothian navy had deployed the 2nd Carrier Group from the Fleet of Vigilance. Compared to the rest, the Rothians had barely half as many ships participating, though that was to be expected for Rothian military doctrine. For their capital ships, the Rothian navy emphasized the highest quality possible in their vessels. On a galactic stage, technology was generally the Rothians' greatest advantage, so they formed their military and its tactics to leverage that advantage to its greatest extent. For centuries, their ships had been built to modular designs with the intention of facilitating simple and relatively easy upgrades to integrate new developments into existing ships. Though some ships had bore the same names, and even some of the same crew, for centuries, there were none that had not, over time, been essentially rebuilt completely and retrofitted to modern standards. Smaller craft, like strikecraft and drones, tended to be automated and much more numerous. Among the 2nd Carrier Group, the majority of capital ships were cruiser class, similar in size to the Barbarossa, with some being specialized as battleships that sacrificed carrier space for greater firepower. The flagship of the battle group, the Valiant, was a heavy carrier, about fifty percent larger than a cruiser. The Admiral, Matir'Setla, commanded from the carrier. On his order, his plan for formations and maneuvering tactics had been sent ahead to the other gathered fleets as they awaited the scheduled start of the exercise.</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang The QV fleet was initially composed of one enormous, amorphous, slightly translucent floating blob in space. Their ships were essentially heavily armed and armoured versions of their individual mobility suits, with large engines and shields. The component parts could split off and rejoin the mothership at will. Each ship was girded with an elegant superstructure of blackened alloy, in which some of the most critical elements could be protected. When the whole thing was put together, the insides looked like a bafflingly complex and ancient coral reef. It was always difficult to get a full count of their fleet, but previous intelligence indicated that a mothership contained three large battleships that shared the superstructure's devastating main gun, along with dozens of destroyers and potentially hundreds of fighters. The Tindrel fleet's capital ship was built into an actual asteroid. As a species they were keen space-excavators, and used the hollowed out husks of the best specimens as a tour de force of their navy. The remnants of this particular planetoid presented as a giant semi-sphere of craggy rock about 10 miles wide. It was pockmarked with sensory stations and armaments and the Tindrel had painted a scary Tindrel face across it. Protruding out from the hollow insides was a bright double helix structure which housed the engines, shield generators, hangar bays and almost an entire city of support staff. Docked on this double helix were dozens of frigates and hundreds of fighters.</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Upon getting their orders, the Tindrel and Qalian-Vosh immediately started complaining. "This objective is not worthy of the might our fleet brings to bear." "You'll never be able to hold off two fleets at once!" "That large object could be their central command node. Destroying that might fold their entire force!" "We are spread rather thin, Admiral Matir. Not much margin for error." Admiral Stentz added, as the Outreman cruisers assumed a helical formation around each of the core ships and support elements. --- Aboard the Magnificent Horizon, the science team waited eagerly by their equipment. Freyr stood on a raised platform where she could see almost everything. "Give me topography on Psi-Helios as soon as you can." She ordered. "Yes ma'am." Dr Lang looked over at Vreta, who usually seemed to be nearby. "How are you feeling?"</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori "Did you think this was going to be easy?" Admiral Matir answered. Being that they did not age, it was always hard to tell just by appearance how old any given Rothian was. As long as they were an adult, a Rothian looked about the same at a hundred years of age as they did at a thousand. Of course, the personnel files that the others no doubt had would identify Matir as one of their most experienced naval officers, but even without that, the firm confidence he had with every word he spoke gave him a commanding presence. "We know nothing of our adversary. Should you be wrong about the primary target, then the secondary objectives shall fail, and the civilians we are sworn to protect at each shall perish. We will complete all stated objectives, and we will do so with the resources we have available. Complete your objectives quickly and efficiently, then regroup on my position for the final attack on our primary target. If your ships are truly strong and your crews capable, then show me what you can do. You have your orders." --- Vreta shrugged, tilting his head towards Freyr. "Well, I've given my speeches. I don't have much else to do but watch at this point. I have to admit, I am a bit excited for what we might find, though. If we find another one of these objects here, on another species' homeworld, then I guess that is pretty strong evidence in favor of the life-seeder hypothesis." Crossing his arms, Vreta paused for just a few moments. "Have you wondered how many places this might have happened? How much life is really native to the Milky Way? Maybe there is another one of these on Earth?"</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang With the gauntlet well and truly laid down, the newly formed battle groups set off in different directions. The Tindrel planetoid capital ship quickly began charging toward the asteroid belt where their objective was located. Instead of using FTL to jump straight into the battle, it used powerful sub-light drives to gradually build up unstoppable momentum. A helical formation of Human, Rothian and QV ships orbited around it. The enemy fleet currently besieging the densely packed asteroid belt and factory complex quickly picked up on the incoming hostiles. There were many more individual enemy ships than the joint battle group, but they were spread out across a large area. Closest to their approach were three battleships and a carrier. The battleships launched dozens of plasma torpedoes with bright blue trails. The carrier turned to face the aggressors and fired its primary energy projector, sending a long stream of plasma through space to burn through any ship it touched. The QV supercarrier adopted an entirely different approach. Its target was surrounding an enormous ring-like installation, the surroundings of which were relatively open. The QV battle group jumped to maximum firing range as a stationary mass of weaponry, then unleashed a barrage of energy projections and plasma torpedoes before the enemy fleet had a chance to bring their own guns to bear. The gas giant was obviously of strategic value to the invaders. In addition to glassing settlements on its largest moon, they were deploying dozens of orbital rail cannons around the other three moons. They all opened fire the minute the Rothian battle group appeared in range. The central grouping of enemy forces was staggering. A dozen troop landers were supported by two dozen cruisers and even more smaller ships. The centrepiece was a vast circular command ship, which began launching drone bombers by the dozen.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Among the Tindrel's battle group, the Rothians had just three capital-class ships, along with some smaller support vessels. All were cruisers, which were the main ship of the line for the Rothian navy. They were general purpose ships without particular specializations, but in keeping with Rothian naval doctrine, still exceptionally capable, high quality vessels. All Rothian ships had to be fitted with the most recent upgrades in order to be approved for service so that they could continue to utilize their technological edge. Such measures were necessary, as it was generally expected that their ships would be outnumbered in any given engagement. On the approach, the cruisers launched their fighters and positioned themselves in the formation to be able to intercept incoming fire. Both capital ships and fighters utilized lasers in point defense roles. They were short range, low energy, and not suited to deal with armored vessels, but torpedoes could not outmaneuver a lightspeed beam. The Rothian cruisers were among the first to be able to open fire, as their fusion cannons had greater range than most other energy-based weapons. Strictly speaking, the projectiles themselves were also composed primarily of superheated plasma, but they were high enough every to maintain sufficient coherence for a longer period of time, and therefore, over a longer range. One of the Rothian cruisers positioned itself to trade blows with the enemy carrier. Rather than allow the plasma beam to potentially damage any allied vessels, it accelerated to intercept. It positioned the front crest, by far the most heavily armored portion of the ship, to take the brunt of the hit. The shields flared, glowing almost as brightly as the beam itself, but for the first hit, it left no effect on the hull. The ship returned fire with all forward batteries focused on the carrier, sending out a barrage of blinding white energy projectiles. Though for the other species in the fleet, there was something notable about the ship's weapons. All weapons fire from both sides was, of course, simulated, but the power output they would register from the cruiser's fusion cannons were higher than their intelligence reports would suggest a Rothian cruiser should be capable of. While all of the ship captains in the battle group were expected to be able to act on their own initiative moment to moment, their overall strategy was meant to be driven by the Tindrel commander in the core ship. All Rothian captains would follow their orders and defer to the Tindrel's instructions, once given.</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang "You could run and get me some more coffee?" Freyr smiled sweetly, before continuing. "Joking aside, if we can find something concrete here, we'll be in a much stronger position to scan other populated worlds. Dr Hou was working on a theory that Human DNA contained clues about another location, because he…well." "Ma'am, topography is ready." One relic of Earth's dominion over the Diaspora was Outremer's planet classification framework. All of their software still compared the new planet being scanned with the cradle of Humanity, rather than the world all of the Human scientists present were more familiar with. Psi Helios was 12% smaller than Earth, and had a broadly similar evolutionary journey too. Larger planets like the gas giant stopped it from growing too fast and being pulled towards the red giant star, rendering it uninhabitable. It had a circular orbit and a stable axis, with a tilt of 17.9 degrees. There was a higher degree of tectonic activity, and about 20% less water, but still enough to make this planet an attractive place for organics to develop. This was evidenced by the tangled mangrove-esque root system covering 75% of the planet's surface and rising miles towards the sky. "They sure pick good places to hide." Freyr breathed, putting her AR glasses on as data began flooding the lab. --- "Ramming speed! All units, close for battle! Tindrel elements, prepare to disengage!" The Tindrel commander of their planetoid ship shrieked over battle group comms. The group's capital craft was now moving frighteningly fast towards the middle of the three battleships and a cluster of smaller craft coalescing to face the threat. It became obvious a few seconds beforehand that it wasn't going to stop, and planned to smash straight into the fray. If it looked like they might miss, they had the option to enact a small warp jump to adjust course at the last moment. At the same time, Tindrel cruisers and destroyers were unlatching from the double helix structure protruding from the back of the planetoid and fanning out to begin fighting. The biggest hitters would time their disconnection until they were right among the enemy, so they could attempt a devastating broadside. Outreman vessels had to make emergency adjustments to their attack run to avoid a catastrophic pile up, meaning they lost speed and their tight helical formation.</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang The channel was flooded with bloodthirsty cheering from the Tindrel camp as blinding explosions erupted from the two disabled battleships. They had waged war like this on their planet and in space ever since they reached it, so it must be nice to validate its continued effectiveness. The planetoid ship came under fire from several directions. Its large shield generators absorbed most of the hits, though one torpedo found a gap in the front as energy was directed towards the more vulnerable spindle off the back. It burst through and crashed into the side of the rocky face, tearing a small slab off into space. Barely slowing down, the Tindrel capital ship narrowly missed a cluster of hefty asteroids and sheared off and away from the engagement. It would turn in a wide circle for another ramming run if possible. Point defence lasers on its stern fended off numerous munitions as it left.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang The channel was flooded with bloodthirsty cheering from the Tindrel camp as blinding explosions erupted from the two disabled battleships. They had waged war like this on their planet and in space ever since they reached it, so it must be nice to validate its continued effectiveness. The planetoid ship came under fire from several directions. Its large shield generators absorbed most of the hits, though one torpedo found a gap in the front as energy was directed towards the more vulnerable spindle off the back. It burst through and crashed into the side of the rocky face, tearing a small simulated slab off into space. Barely slowing down, the Tindrel capital ship narrowly missed a cluster of hefty asteroids and sheared off and away from the engagement. It would turn in a wide circle for another ramming run if possible. Point defence lasers on its stern fended off numerous munitions as it departed. This left the comparatively weaker Tindrel vessels to fight without their carrier vessel alongside the Rothians and Humans. However, the imminent threat of another devastating charge on the flank by the planetoid had proved a powerful distraction in previous engagements. They made short work of the support vessels which hadn't retreated, then most of their ships attempted to get to cover afforded by the asteroid field. Their ships excelled in short range combat, but their shields wouldn't hold up in a protracted long range engagement. Despite a snarl-up between the helical Outreman formation and the chaotic and rapidly spreading Tindrel fleet, the closest remaining enemy battleship wasn't able to take advantage of this troop confusion. The OSC heavy cruiser Valkyrie pulled up alongside the hostile ship while deploying a swarm of countermeasure drones between the ships. While still manoeuvring, the enemy battleship fired a massive broadside which would have likely disabled several small vessels behind. The Valkyrie's counter measures intercepted roughly 40% of the munitions before they hit its shields, though the heavy cruiser still took a battering. The Valkyrie's shipboard AI was able to simulate a violent shaking motion in some parts of the interior, for the purposes of realism. Moments later, the Valkyrie returned the broadside, before re-engaging its thrusters and dropping down underneath the enemy battleship to avoid another salvo while its shields recovered. Two plucky frigates above the enemy also jostled to find a firing position for their main guns before releasing jets of energy through space towards the ship. --- "The locals call that stuff the Morgrawal. Say it's all one entity." Masgard pointed to the massive root system covering Psi-Helios. He hadn't been far from Dr Lang since they'd boarded the Rothian vessel, though he kept a relatively low profile and seemed to be working on other things most of the time. "How do you know that?" Freyr asked. "We do our research. The natives are so entwined with it that they refer to themselves as the Morgrawalai." The sophisticated net of scans being unfurled by the Magnificent Horizon was gradually peeling back layers of the planet. Freyr observed that the obvious 'Morgrawalai' population centres were varied. There were some that appeared to be inside the large trunks of the tree, some underground and some in the circular clearings near lakes that the Morgrawal had left.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori The enemy battleship had a respectable amount of firepower on its own, but without support, there was no way it could get through even a single ship's shields before its own were depleted by the focus fire of multiple capital ships converging on it. The third Rothian cruiser joined the Valkyrie and the other Human ships in overwhelming their foe. With all of their fire combined, it did not take more than another barrage to tear the battleship to pieces. The enemy carrier, meanwhile, had found no safety behind the asteroid it had gone to for cover. It launched as many strike craft as it could as quickly as possible, but the carrier's fate was sealed by volleys of superheated plasma from the first two Rothian cruisers. Fighters and bombers could be dangerous even to capital ships when utilized properly, but the enemy fighters that had been launched so far had no ship support nearby. Rather than throw them pointlessly at the allied battle group, the enemy instead gave the order for their fighters to disengage and retreat back through the asteroid field to their own lines so they could still utilize them later in the fight. Rothian fighters pursued them some distance and destroyed a portion of them, but they too did not want to push their fighters too far beyond the support of their motherships. The initial strike had been undeniably effective, but the majority of the hostile fleet still remained. The planetoid had built up incredible momentum and was unquestionably effective in close quarters, but the enemy was quick to adapt. The Tindrel's current targets were at long range, so they had much more time to evade than the initial group. Rather than move together, however, any ship within the planetoid's projected path scattered in all directions, often weaving between asteroids to make a direct pursuit path more difficult. It was unlikely that any individual ship could escape the Tindrel, but with intelligent maneuvering, the enemy could guarantee that the massive planetoid could only chase, at most, a single ship at a time. All the while, every other ship in the fleet was unpressured and free to engage at long range. The pelting of ranged weapons fire was a constant against the planetoid's shields, and it was far from efficient for them to have to chase down every hostile ship individually. While they had secured a position within the asteroid field, there was a question of what to do next for the rest of the battle group. The Tindrel were taking plenty of initiative to act with their own ships, but beyond being told to "attack", there had been no orders for the rest of them. The Rothian cruisers formed up, positioned their strike craft defensively to intercept incoming munitions, and returned fire. They certainly had the range to engage any ship in the asteroid field, but there was still no coherent direction for allied forces. They did not know what targets the Tindrel would engage next, and therefore which targets would be most effective to focus fire, nor how to position tactically to take advantage of whatever they were going to do next. There were certainly protocols the Rothian captains could follow to quickly establish a firm chain of command to begin giving those orders, but that was not the purpose of this exercise. The Tindrel commander was not incapacitated; therefore, they needed to try to follow their direction. One of the Rothian captains opened the fleet's comm channel to request those orders. --- "Well, if we do everything right, the Morgrawalai will never know we were here." Marae remarked, though her voice trailed off as she started to focus more on the console in front of her, and the data that was pouring in. Vreta watched the screens as well, though with less of a focused eye than the scientists analyzing the data. "Hopefully so. We just need to be prepared if things don't quite go to plan. If this object is buried as deep as the Navigator was, it will take a whole excavation team to extract it. Of course, if it isn't, then the natives may have already discovered it. About how 'primitive' are these primitives? I know they are pre-spaceflight, but are they at the point of using livestock, wagons, and iron swords, or are we talking cars, biplanes, and gunpowder?"</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang "Push them into the clear channel! We're coming back around!" The Tindrel commander screeched. The capital ship sent a visualisation of a gap between two tight clusters of space debris. The factory complex was nearby - they had cleared this channel to allow large freighters to quickly move to and fro. Based on the relative positioning of the asteroid field and the system's general gravitational alignment, the planetoid's second pass would come from 'above'. Ordinarily, the Outreman fleet would have flushed the enemy fleet out from their hiding places with seismic charges. They could have smashed the asteroid belt into small and less dangerous pieces and lit hostile shields up. However, that sort of weaponry was incompatible with a simulation where they couldn't actually go around wrecking the place. Especially when there was a real factory complex nearby that was already signalling for them to use caution on their property. The Tindrel ships paid no mind to that, however. It was largely their own holding, after all. "CHARGE!" Their captains screamed as one, forming a war cry. The full weight of their force swarmed into the depths of the slow-moving asteroid field, seeking to rapidly gain ground on the enemy and do battle. The formation they had from the beginning was totally ruined. The large Outreman vessels couldn't navigate into the tightly-packed core, so they began skirting around the edges, firing at enemy elements which broke cover to assault the planetoid. Their smaller destroyers and frigates joined the Tindrel.</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang "Admiral, recommend immediate abort. You're vulnerable in the channel." The most senior Outreman captain in the battle group sent over comms. "Watch them run!" The Tindrel Admiral replied immediately - the rapid clicking of their species laughing could be heard. "Press the attack!" The ramming ship had looped around now and was building up unstoppable momentum for a pass through the freight channel. In preparation for a mini-jump at short range, they weren't charging up their secondary weapons to fire at full power during that moment of chaos when they made contact. --- Masgard laughed. "Not quite bi-planes, but you already knew that. They are advanced in their own ways. Very different to us, in tune with nature. They have a symbiotic relationship with large worms that act as transport, food and fighting forces." "Human, Tindrel & QV signals on the planet." Dr Wetherall announced.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori For the Tindrel's planetoid, the ships that had moved into the freight channel had little chance for escape. In open space, the enemy might have been able to scatter more efficiently, but the asteroids surrounding them would restrict how fast they could maneuver, especially as a group. They had executed their plan as well as they could, and no doubt, the planetoid would be able to clear a fair sized group in a single pass. However, they had no way of stopping the rest of the enemy fleet from repositioning, and no way to regroup with the rest of their own fleet quickly. The asteroid field would restrict the planetoid even more than it would for the enemy vessels. Had the enemy used their FTL jump to close in on the planetoid, the rest of the fleet might have been able to maneuver in to the field to reinforce their flagship. That, however, was not their intention. The planetoid was currently in the middle of the asteroid field with the freight channel as the only method of egress. It was, for the moment, a prison for it that it could not quickly escape. As such, nearly the entire remainder of the enemy fleet jumped to FTL, wrapped around the outside of the asteroid field, and appeared suddenly together...right on top of the bulk of the Outreman ships. They dropped out of FTL at extreme close range to most of the Outreman and Qalian-Vosh ships, sending the battlefield into immediate chaos. They seemed to abandon any notion of organized formations and instead positioned themselves in and among the allied fleet, firing on everything around them. It went without saying that this was a strategy that entailed full and complete commitment. There would be no escape for either side if they failed, but it was a sort of chaos that could be to their enemy's advantage. Even should the planetoid manage to maneuver back around to rejoin the fight in time, it could not use its primary strategy so far without barreling through its own allies. --- Vreta looked up to the hologram of the planet, his eyes narrowing noticeably. "Interference with pre-spaceflight species runs rather specifically afoul of our treaties." Vreta stepped away from Freyr's station and moved closer, up behind Dr. Wetherall's. "Are you able to pinpoint the locations of these alien signals?"</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Immediately after the enemy fleet jumped into close quarters combat, the battle group's comms net lit up like a Christmas tree. Foremost the Tindrel screaming with anger, but urgent and stressed instructions from captains of individual ships as they allocated rally points. The small number of Qalian-Vosh ships began grouping together and sharing their mobility bubble, becoming more than the sum of their parts all while under heavy fire. One of them didn't make it and erupted into a goo-based fireball…then started heading out of the battle area to await the end of the simulation. The Outreman portion of the battle group were caught on the broadside with open space cut off by the mass of enemy ships. They were also strung out in a line with only partially overlapping fields of fire. However, the OSC had trained to survive this sort of gambit before , and their ships immediately began turning so they were headed into the asteroid field. They redirected most of their shielding power to the stern, and used all their armaments on their sides to support the ships to either side. They then attempted to retreat into the relative safety of the asteroid field, leaving the QV vessels nearly surrounded. --- "Negatory. They look like they're on the move…aaand they're bouncing off every satellite in the system. There aren't that many signatures, but they could be bundled together. We aren't experts in signals from known civilisations, we're equipped to notice anomalies to known patterns. We'd need the military or, or… Naval Intelligence or something."</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Under most circumstances, the strategy their enemy was using was not something the average fleet commander would even consider as an option. It took any concept of strategic maneuvering or macro tactics and threw them out the proverbial window. Fleet commanders would lose almost all influence over the overall battle in favor of a simple aggregate of the competence of each fleet's respective ships, captains, and crews. Naturally, most commanders would rather not give up their own contributions, especially as such a battle would likely end with heavy losses on both sides. Ironically, though, despite how aggressive and chaotic the Tindrel's strategy was, this particular brand of chaos was so strongly to the detriment of the flagship that formed the center of their strategy that it was the best option they had. The Tindrel's initial strikes had wiped out multiple groups of ships, but the remainder of the enemy fleet still outnumbered the allied battle group, to a not insignificant degree. It was not insurmountable, but they needed to find some way to regain an advantage. The only macro strategy that the enemy was following at the moment was unrestrained aggression. As the Outreman fleet tried falling back into the field, the enemy tried to stick with them to the best of their ability. The Rothian cruisers, for the moment, were having to execute some rather slow turns to bring their ships to bear while confined in the asteroid field. They had some cannons with angles on the enemy, and their torpedoes could target omnidirectionally, but it would be a few minutes before they could rejoin the battle in full. The QV ships were currently in danger of being overwhelmed, and it would be up to the Tindrel commander to decide how they would respond. --- Vreta hummed to himself for a moment. "They're going to be wrapped up in this simulation for a while. I guess we should just keep on task. I'll pass it along for Rareth to deal with. Hopefully they don't get in the way of our search, but we should be careful. If they are on the surface, then they are probably flaunting the law. They may not respect the authority we bring with us." He warned.</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang "All units, form a line of defense in the asteroid field! I want to see overlapping fields of fire on my screen!" The Tindrel admiral commanded. He had taken a more sober tone as he examined a giant holo simulation of the situation on the planetoid's map table. The Planetoid itself had cleared the asteroid field again and was arcing around the entire thing to strike the enemy from behind and below. The QV were yelling to each other as their large combined surged back towards the relative safety of the asteroid belt. An enemy ship sailed in front of them and hit them with half a broadside. The QV vessel smashed into them and the gelatinous skin wrapped the whole way around the other ship. The ships inside began firing straight into the opposing hull and otherwise trying to prise it apart. A blinding exchange of fire flitted to and from the Outreman vessels which had now presented their thin backsides. That was, except the battle group's Bertha class rail cannon platform, which was hidden behind an asteroid. Though large, it was poorly armed and armoured except for a formidable rail gun which made up most of its mass. While this sort of armament had featured heavily in Humanity's early spacefaring armoury, it had gradually been phased out as it became clear that the galaxy wasn't empty. Whenever a ship fired a tungsten bolt at blistering speeds, it was going to ruin someone's day - that may not be who they originally thought. The Bertha latched onto the mammoth asteroid like a spider and fired straight through it, using small thrusters on either side to manoeuvre its field of fire from one ship to another. --- "Possible anomaly detected." A Rothian scientist raised their hand from a workstation on the opposite side of the general area from Dr Wetherall, closer to Marae. As Freyr and Vreta walked over, Dr Lang asked him: "Why am i getting a bad feeling about this again?"</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Given their apparent indifference to the rest of the fleet so far, it was a pleasant surprise when the Tindrel commander began to take charge and give direction. With the swiftness of the enemy's surprise attack, it had been unavoidable that their battle group had taken losses. A few of the Outreman ships, including one cruiser, had been taken out of the simulation, and several more had registered hull damage before being able to retreat into the asteroid field. Of course, the enemy had also suffered similar damage in the exchange, and they now had the opportunity to get to some measure of cover and try to replenish the shields on their more vulnerable ships. The Rothian cruisers deeper in the asteroids were eventually able to bring their ships around and rejoin the battle. Now that the enemy was exclusively on one side of them, they could face their armored crests towards the threat to greatly improve their own durability, though the current situation called for them to advance forward quickly and try to take pressure off of their allies. For the power they had, their greatest weakness was that there were only three of them. The battlefield was wide enough that, no matter how they were distributed, there was a large part of it they simply could not influence. In the parts of the battle in which they were present, though, they could be an impactful asset. For now, the cruisers pushed forward and joined some of the Outreman ships in trying to rescue the retreating Qalian-Vosh vessel. The ranking Rothian captain marked the closest cruiser to their ally, prompting all three to converge fire upon it from their main batteries. Fusion cannons were powerful on their own, but the version the Rothians were using now were stronger than any the Rothians had revealed before. They ripped apart the enemy shields at blistering speed, only to shift their focus fire to a different target once they had exposed the vulnerability on the first. Rather than take the time to finish off the enemy cruiser themselves, the Rothian captain instead marked the vulnerable ship as a priority target for the Outremans. Their rail cannon was a dated weapon as far as naval technology was concerned. Powerful, but slow to fire. Volleys of high energy projectiles, or sustained beams, were more efficient at depleting energy shielding. Still, the Rothians calculated that a single, well-placed shot should be sufficient to disable or destroy an unshielded hostile vessel. --- The ship's deep scans had picked up what appeared to be a settlement, though deep underground beneath a massive mountain range covered in the Morgrawal. "A settlement, it looks like." Enha, the Rothian xenoanthroplogist, remarked. "It looks to be native, not alien. Though it is quite remarkable for a native settlement at this level of technological development. I normally would not expect them to be able to maintain such an organized settlement in such a challenging environment."</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang The Bertha didn't waste any time once the target was marked. Shifting its field of fire, it fired a sharpened tungsten round toward the enemy cruiser's engine and reactor core. The dead metal projectile had a better chance of disabling the target without provoking a large explosion and destroying the QV hitchhikers, but nothing was guaranteed. The QV were strongly encouraged to disengage, but either they were too badly damaged or too deeply attached to make a quick getaway. The Tindrel planetoid was rapidly approaching for a third time. They had adjusted their course into more of a diagonal strafe of the entire line. The Admiral signalled that rather than maintaining their unstoppable momentum, they would be attempting a 'crash stop'. After attempting to ram through as many high value targets as possible, they'd bring the full weight of their conventional weaponry to bear on the enemy ships. By way of an opening salvo, the enormous asteroid launched hundreds of torpedoes. They divided up to target some of the smallest and most vulnerable ships, with the aim of drawing fire from supporting battleships that will in turn weaken their own defenses. --- "It's an interesting lead…the previous inhabitants of Outremer built an entire city around the Cradle. Their structures suggest they actually had very similar physiology to the Morgrawalai, now I think about it…" Freyr trailed off, before eventually looking to Marae. "There must be some kind of pattern - what could we be missing?"</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori The Tindrel's strategy of using their planetoid as a ram had worked twice so far, but it seemed that it would not work for a third. The enemy was keeping close track of their movements, and approaching from a distance as it was, they had plenty of time to push forward into the asteroid field, moving aggressively into the lines of the Outreman ships. The planetoid could not follow, both because of the asteroids, and to avoid endangering their own allies. Their weaponry however, certainly still had the potential to contribute. The enemy's fighters and support ships had been positioned to fight the Humans, so a good number of torpedoes from their flanks were able to find their marks and spread out significant damage to a few capital ships. As long as someone could keep pressure on them, they would not be able to disengage to recover their shields. Unfortunatley, losses were still piling up on both sides. A few more capital ships had been knocked out. Currently, victory was not guaranteed, though it was looking more likely than not. However, on the current path, losses were going to be heavy. The pressure from the enemy was constant, and relentless, and the commander was going to have to prioritize what to protect. They had managed to keep the QV ship intact for now, but hostiles were close to surrounding it. The shields of the battle group's Outreman flagship were currently below half, and it could be in danger without some relief. As well, there were two enemy cruisers maneuvering to try to take out the "Bertha" rail cannon. --- "We should let the evidence build the pattern naturally. Best not to color our perspectives with potentially unfounded assumptions." Marae answered. She was linked in to the computer via her implants, so she could adjust the parameters of their scans through thought alone. The new parameters she was inputting and updating moment-to moment danced across the screen almost faster than one could read them. "Let's do a deep scan here. Focus on the settlement and its surroundings." Using readings from both the Cradle and Navigator as a reference point, Marae started guiding a wide scan through the entire EM spectrum. She did not design each test unassisted, of course, but before their eyes, she implemented a program that would automatically update and iterate between each of the thousands of tests it was performing per second. It was following a genetic algorithm to continually refine potential signal profiles to search for. The tests themselves were perfectly comprehensible to someone with relevant expertise, though the way she treated complex programming as if it was simple mental math was a sight to behold. The only aspect of the tests that the other species might not recognize as readily would be the scans utilizing induced gravitational waves. Compared to anything on the EM spectrum, gravitational waves were exceptionally weak and required immensely sensitive instruments to even detect. The physics involved was well-known to any spacefaring species, but to be able to manufacture a device both capable of detecting such waves, while also being small and practical enough to fit in a sensor package, was not something that others could yet do.</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang The lines of ships blurred into a claustrophobic maelstrom of burnished metal, energy beams and explosions. Flights of fighters chased each other around the hulls of their parent ships as they grappled in close combat, and swarms of drones threw themselves as torpedoes. The Outreman line held firm partly because of the mission parameters - they needed a quick victory in order to join back up and take out the key ship. But also because there wasn't an easy way to disengage. They could either retreat back through the asteroid field, or push straight through the enemy which surrounded them and into open space. Both options required breaking their shield-sharing formation and limiting their ability to fire back. The Tindrel signalled they were planning quite a sophisticated crash stop, whereby they'd spin the planetoid's tail out to face the enemy. While less defended than the rock top, it would allow them to bring a dizzying array of weaponry to bear at once. There was no time to argue with them now, as they'd be danger close in a matter of seconds. If one listened closely to their comms channel, one might hear a rolling chorus of chirrups which loosely translated into a 'yeehaw' type sentiment. In their desperation, Outreman commanders had also requested reinforcements from the support group stationed some distance away. It was possible that they could jump ships straight into close quarters, with a bit of good fortune. --- All this activity was being closely watched by Earth - they had a couple of dozen light peacekeeping craft on station around Psi-Helios at any one time which were more than capable of intelligence gathering. Almost immediately after the exercise began, more (and heavier) craft began arriving. What had begun as a trickle became a torrent, until their entire 9th Mechanised Spaceborne Fleet was stationed on the other side of the planet. This intimidating mass of ships was usually parked in empty space, ready to jump at a moment's notice to any of Earth's interests. The Earther fleet's admiral sent a message to all commanders of the exercise, asking them to respect the system's demilitarised status and move away from the planet towards the fringes. Strictly speaking, only the battle group comprising the Rothian Admiral's vessel and the Barbarossa was anywhere near the real demilitarised zone. --- "Ok, lets do this." Dr Lang came up behind Marae and gently placed both hands on her shoulders. Her AR glasses lit up with thousands of additional bits of data. Freyr used her implants to gland a chemical mix called Through The Looking Glass. Immediately, it worked to clear her mind of all prior assumptions, while forcing her to 'relearn' everything she witnessed from the scans again. It had proved useful in the past for stimulating the savant part of her brain into making connections which were previously blocked off. "Earth has started getting skittish and ordering us back from the perimeter. We may need to consider our strategy here." Masgard announced. He didn't seem like a quiet lawyer anymore.</s>
<\|description\|>Agent 595 Species: Human Gender: Female Age: UNKNOWN Nationality: UNKNOWN Weapons and/or equipment: UNKNOWN Backstory: UNKNOWN</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr sighed, none of this made any sense. "It sounds like the thing wanted to abduct you as well. Good thing I showed up!" She chuckled, rather morosely. "But you are right. We've had teams looking for other instances of the same technology, but found nothing in over three hundred years." Freyr reached into the deep pockets of her coat and pulled out the sketch she'd been working on while talking to Vreta on the phone. On a real-paper pad was one side of the legs, body and neck of the creature, in firm graphite strokes. "Despite its durability, the creature's makeup leaves lots to be desired." She traced the very end of the neck, where it connected to that ghastly visage. "There was a lot of rugged tissue where the face appeared to have been transplanted on, or grown at an unnatural rate. I think the beast would struggle to turn its head much without moving its whole body." She moved her finger to trace the front right leg. "I believe the Cradle has actually devolved the leg layout to support more weight. But as a result the Coxa here..." She gently tapped the bulbous pack of muscle connecting the leg to the body. "It's composed of much softer stuff than the rest of its body, which makes it vulnerable." Her pad got a few stray drips of rain on it, so she stuffed it back into her coat pocket. "What I'm trying to say is that while the Cradle appears to have used it's massive potential to create giant killing machines, they have serious flaws. Flaws which it could solve if it had access to evolutionary data from other life forms..." She took another bite of her now cold Gỏi cuốn. "I don't know, it's just a theory. But it could explain why it wants to collect different specimens. It's learning. Squeezing evolution from millions of years to months." Freyr pulled her coat around her tight. The sun had completely dipped below the horizon now, and a chill breeze was beginning to pick up. "The way it spoke to you… it feels like a patchwork of imitations. Potentially another instance of it 'learning' to do something. But the bit about 'parents', plural, is interesting." Freyr took another bite, her eyes accidentally locking with a man watching her from the other side of the market. He took a long drag of his stim-cig and looked away. "During my time studying the Cradle…" Freyr continued, watching him start moving. "I've begun to suspect there is more than one intelligence in the Cradle. I've never been able to prove it; the code is bafflingly complex. But the 'mood' of the environment in general changes occasionally. I wonder if the creature has just nodded to that…"</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta leaned back somewhat on the bench and hummed to himself. There were a few, long seconds of silence from him as he ruminated on the situation, which he filled by finishing off the rest of his food. Inwardly, he wished he had been given the chance to study the Cradle in-depth before all of this had happened. The Rothians had been trying to gain access to study the Cradle for many years, and had made some generous offers in that time. If his people had the time for proper research, he had no doubt they could have come to understand it. In his mind, Humanity simply was not yet advanced enough to comprehend what they had in their possession. Once he was finished with his roll, he turned his head back towards Freyr. Despite his opinions of Humanity's usage of the Cradle, he did have to admit that her reasoning was quite sound. She had come to potential conclusions even he had not considered. Granted, he was working with much less direct experience with the Cradle. "Your proposals are reasonable. Really, they could be correct." Vreta finally replied. "An immature AI, one based on learning algorithms, that had not yet been given enough data to mature would match the behaviors we have seen. But why would there be a learning AI within a supercomputer as advanced as the Cradle, I wonder? In Rothian history, there was a time when our most potent AI required a period of time to collect data and learn. However, we have come to the point where we can create AI that are both exceptionally capable of learning, and are mature from their creation. I have to imagine that the creators of the Cradle would have been capable of the same thing. Unless..well, I suppose the theoretical limits of an AI that begins immature are higher, in the long-term. It would have to be quite an important project to justify the inconvenience, though." Once again, Vreta sighed. "Like you said, though, this is all just theory. Speculation. Regardless of the nature of the AI or its purpose, more needs to be learned about it. And the Cradle in general. People have been killed. Terrorists, soldiers, and innocent civilians alike. It is clear that this intelligence, whatever it is, does not discriminate with its victims, and I do not see any reason to believe it is going to stop. And your world, Outremer…perhaps this is just my impression, but your world is exceptionally intertwined with the Cradle. If your people lose control of the Cradle, I do not think it is an exaggeration to say that the society you have built here could come to an end. It is past time for games; it is my opinion that your people should seek aid from the Rothians. I am fairly certain my government would be willing to help."</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr was secretly pleased that the soft spoken alien liked her rationale. He seemed very knowledgeable, and it was so refreshing to share ideas with someone from an advanced species like the Rothians. She did have one other theory that had been gaining momentum as the data pieced together in her mind. It terrified her, but it didn't pass her lips, as something told her to stop. Perhaps it was the medication, granting her clarity of mind, but she suddenly realised she'd said quite a lot. Her work wasn't officially 'classified' top secret, but she had been instructed not to divulge technical information about the Cradle to anyone outside the 'need to know' loop. Vreta's charming mannerisms and leading questions had gently teased information from her drugged up head like an angler fishing in river rapids. Freyr was thinking of ways to get the conversation into safer territory when something, or rather someone caught her attention. The man who had locked eyes with her a few moments before was looking her way again. He turned his head to track them as he walked across the market through thinning crowds, heading vaguely in the direction of the arch Freyr had entered from. When he saw Freyr was looking, his lips twisted into a malicious grin. Time seemed to slow and Vreta's voice faded out. Freyr felt this must be the medication again, heightening her concentration. The man crossed his hand up to the left side of his face, by the cheekbone. His digits were all clenched apart from the index finger, which was crooked like a hook. Pressing that crooked finger against his cheek, the man slowly dragged it down the left side of his face, ending at the chin. The sickening smile never went away. A hooded figure sat on the bench next to them quickly got up and knelt down in front of Freyr, who wrenched her eyes away from the display to look down at them. The figure pushed their hood back slightly, and Freyr recognised the blonde female agent who'd showed up at her place with the pills and the body bag. "Dr Lang, listen to me very carefully ok? The Skinners are here. They're here for you, so we need to get you out of here right now. Do you understand?" Freyr's mouth hung open in astonishment. Why would they be here for her? What had she done to them? "Wait, why are you he-" Freyr began, but the agent obviously had no intention of replying as she quickly spoke to someone via her comms over the top of Freyr. "Five Nine Five calling in a Skinner sighting at Boycott park. Have VIP seventy ten, need urgent extraction, over." She obviously didn't like the answer, gritting her teeth before looking back at Freyr. "I need to get you to get you to your apartment, right now. Lets go." The agent pulled a sleek black silenced pistol out from her long coat. She looked up at Vreta. "Will you help me? I think we both want Dr Lang to make it out of here alive."</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta was less prone to notice odd behavior among Humans compared to Freyr, since his concept of what constituted "odd" for them was not as refined as hers. However, even he could recognize when he was being watched. He was not suprised when they were finally approached, though he feigned enough shock as would be appropriate for a Rothian businessman in his position. Vreta listened to the story that the woman weaved about protecting Freyr from Skinners, but he remained unconvinced. It sounded to him like they just wanted to get them away from a public location. Certainly, he did not trust that any member of the Outremer government would be honest with them; not after their encounter with the man that had interviewed them outside. Vreta knew this game all to well to simply fall into a trap blind. Though, that did not mean he was unwilling to turn a trap to his advantage. Before the woman was even finished speaking, Vreta was already giving his program new instructions. Instead of observing himself, he had it observe the government agent, and identify anyone who might be associated with her. More importantly, he wanted it to observe their communications. In addition to observing anyone she communicated directly with, it also searched other channels for any keywords that might be related. Skinners, government callsigns, anything out of the ordinary for civilian communications.For now, he still had his program keep itself safe to avoid detection, but his program could run circles around Human intrusion detection systems, and it was still not doing anything beyond listening. Vreta was not particularly keen on stepping into danger again, but there were differences this time around. Namely, he was not in the Cradle, and he now had access to his fully array of equipment and capabilities. Whether Skinners or government agents, they did not know who they were dealing with. "I do. I want both of us to be safe. I will help, but why bring her to her apartment? There are more well-protected options. Bring us to the Rothian Embassy and no terrorist will be able to touch her, or me." He suggested. If nothing else, it was a statement that would get those listening in talking in a way his program could hone in on.</s>	<\|message\|>Agent 595 "Because your embassy is miles away, and her apartment is just there." The woman replied, pointing to Freyr's grey colonial mansion block on the edge of the park. "Come on, let's go." She urged, rising to her feet and hauling Freyr up from the bench, pistol down at her side. Tightly holding onto Freyr's arm, she began weaving through the last of the evening crowd, eyes on a swivel. Freyr looked back and could see Vreta following behind. There was a yell ahead and she whirled back around. An old lady wearing a filthy apron appeared from round the side of one of the stalls brandishing a chef's knife. She charged at Freyr with the knife at stomach height, shouting at the top of her lungs. The agent let go of Freyr's arm, stabilised her stance, brought the pistol up and shot her silenced pistol. The old lady clattered to the floor and lay still, her knife skittering along the cobbles. Once they saw the gun, the crowd around them erupted into panicked yelling and began running in all directions. All except a man, the one Freyr had seen earlier, who smashed through a bamboo partition with two meathooks and ambitiously swung one at the agent from her other side. Her hood coming off to expose her short blond locks, she pivoted and leant back, the first hook coming within inches of her face. The agent pushed Freyr roughly back towards Vreta, raised her left arm to parry the second swing. The hook scraped against something hard under her coat. The agent stuck her pistol against the man's chest and shot twice. He stumbled backwards, crashing back through the remains of the partition. "Two hostiles down, moving VIP to her residence." The agent whispered into her comms set, looking back to check on Freyr and Vreta. "Everyone ok?" She mouthed. Freyr nodded. The agent guided them through the now empty marketplace to the leafy arch Freyr had entered through not long before. After a look through, she rounded the corner with her pistol up, and Freyr followed soon after. The first thing she noticed was the lanterns that usually lighted up the path through the park to the road on the other side were dark. The whole area was pitch black. Freyr nearly stumbled and fell, but then she could feel a firm hand grab her arm and guide her along the sloping pathway. The agent moved quickly, calling back encouragingly for Vreta. "Come on, let's move, quickly!" --- Out in the gloom of the park, either side of the pathway, ten men and women with compact night vision goggles emerged from underneath their signal dampening blankets. They picked up their weapons and began sprinting toward their target. --- Freyr estimated that the three of them were almost exactly halfway between the street food market and the road by her building when they attacked. The first thing was the sound of multiple sets of shoes thudding on the wet grass. Then she faintly made out shapes running at them from either side. "Run!" The agent hissed, yanking her arm and setting off at a run, taking Freyr with her. It wasn't until ten seconds of solid running later that Freyr finally looked behind and noticed Vreta wasn't with them. In fact, no one was. All she could see was a writhing mass of dark shapes in the moonlight, and the sounds of muffled shouting and the scraping of metal. "Where's Vreta?!" Freyr half-shouted, but the agent didn't reply as she pulled her into a run again.</s>
<\|description\|>Agent 595 Species: Human Gender: Female Age: UNKNOWN Nationality: UNKNOWN Weapons and/or equipment: UNKNOWN Backstory: UNKNOWN</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr and Five Nine Five were crossing the road to the front doors of her apartment building when small arms fire crackled across the wide expanse of the park. Freyr looked back, but it wasn't long before the agent pushed her head down and hauled her inside. "Lock the doors, let no one in or out!" The agent ordered the concierge droid, who bowed as the double doors next to him slammed shut and a metal roller shutter began creeping down the glass. --- Five Nine Five's Skinner sighting and subsequent call for extraction created a high priority flag in the Babylon law enforcement command system. A team of special counter terrorism firearms officers, stationed a mile away from the park, were put into action after a short delay. Their armoured truck lifted off from a side street, rose to just above tree level and powered through the dark until they could see a brightly lit cobbled square underneath them. There was a disturbance in the park, but their primary objective was to extract the VIP. Five Nine Five's extraction pin was located in this square, so without any further info they came in for a fast, quiet landing. The large vehicle crushed several of the stalls underneath it's vast bulk. A ramp descended quickly at the back and a dozen heavily armoured soldiers crunched out. Their uniforms were black, with 'CTSFO' printed in white on the helmet and variations of 'Caution' printed on their chest in three languages. They were all droids, but it was almost impossible to gauge that from the exterior. Every inch of a human's flesh would be covered by the armour they wore, from the gloves to the opaque helmet. The droids fanned out, quickly moving to secure the extraction zone. They quickly identified two heat signatures on the ground and moved to them, looking to identify the VIP. It turned out these two were unknown, alive but immobilised by specialist nerve rounds. The order came in from their handler to detain them, so a droid easily picked up each of the prone figures and took them toward the waiting truck. The rest of the officers moved to secure each of the entrances to the market. The gunfire from nearby had now ceased, and instead the droids detected the whirr of non-Human dropships overhead and the wail of approaching police sirens. Three of the droids were just moving to secure one of the archways when an unidentified, non-Human entity came running through it. All three of the officers raised their heavy rifles, and one addressed the alien in a deep, commanding Human voice. "Firearms police! Get down on the ground!"</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Running into the market, Vreta was met immediately by police pointing their guns at him. He stopped and put his hands in the air. "Not this again…" he muttered to himself. Before the police even spoke, he already linked his implant with the comms channel of the peacekeepers in the dropship just above them. "Get some of your people down here. I'm going to need some help with these officers." As the dropship lowered closer to the ground, Vreta kept his hands clearly in the air, though pointed a finger at the Rothian vehicle. "Don't shoot, I'm with them." He said, sounding more annoyed than afraid. The market was too crowded with structures for a landing right where they were, but after a moment, once the dropship was low enough, several Rothian peacekeeping officers dropped out the back down to the ground. They all wore clearly marked uniforms, similar to other specialist police forces on Outremer, and, as per their agreements with the local government, carried exclusively non-lethal weapons. Though, one of their more striking features were their imposing physiques. Like Rothian soldiers, their police also received extensive combat augmentations. Each one of them was at least a full head taller than Vreta, who himself was far from short by Rothian standards. The peacekeepers' commander stepped forward to diffuse the situation. "Stand down. He is under our jurisdiction. And a victim, besides that." Using his implants to send his messages to the commander's helmet radio, Vreta continued to speak to him in secret. Vreta was not interested in sticking around the crime scene with the local police, but what did interest him were the bodies he saw being loaded onto a truck nearby. Just by that fact alone, he already had a strong suspicion they were alive. If they were dead, procedure would be to leave them in place until the crime scene had been properly analyzed, and it had only been a few minutes. Still, he would not mind confirmation. "Those bodies they just loaded onto that truck, I need to know if they are still alive. Say…say that they are persons of interest in this attack, and you want to interview them later. Ask what condition they are in." The commander did not react to Vreta, though he followed the order without question. Though first, he did glance back at his own team and motion towards the crime scene. "Get some scans for the area for these officers, then provide assistance until I call you back." He ordered. He then slung his stun rifle over his shoulder and approached the Human officer in charge in a more relaxed posture. "Those people you were loading on that truck when we flew in, we think they might be involved in an attack on a Rothian citizen. What's their condition? Will they be ready for an interview anytime soon?" He asked.</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 Five Nine Five bustled into the lobby elevators behind Freyr and sent it hurtling up to the seventh floor. She poked her head out when the doors opened back up again and looked both ways down the hallway. Satisfied it was clear, the spook led Freyr out and marched her to her apartment door. She snatched the keycard from Freyr's hand and opened the door herself. Walking softly into the dark room with her pistol raised, Five Nine Five pantomimed searching the room before eventually giving Freyr the all clear to come in. When Freyr came in and turned the lights on, she could see the spook standing by one of the large windows. Freyr realised someone was speaking to her via an implant, as the woman was intensely concentrating on the floor under her feet. Looking Freyr's way briefly, the agent motioned for her to turn the lights off again, which she did. "Understood, ETA on a perimeter for this building? Copy." Five Nine Five confirmed as Freyr took her coat off. After a few moments, the agent disconnected her comms and looked quickly out of the window again before walking over to Freyr. "I have to go. Police are sixty seconds away, they're going to guard your apartment and the perimeter of the building. You'll be safe here until we collect you tomorrow. The agent then quickly squeezed past Freyr and headed to the door. "Wait, where are you going?" Freyr called after, but the agent didn't answer, instead exiting the apartment and locking the door after her. --- The Human droid handler had just walked down the truck's ramp after receiving the all clear from their surrounding area. He could direct the droids with just the use of a neural implant, so when the commander got to him the man's eyes were rolled back in his head. His arms were slightly raised in front of him and all his fingers twitched relentlessly. When the Rothian spoke, his eyes rolled back and he looked decidedly annoyed at the interruption. "They're out of action for at least a few days. Nerve agent." He explained, glancing at the pair of droids inside the truck as they secured the pair of bodies for extraction. "File an incident report and we'll let you know when they're awake again." --- After confirming through Demeter that it was Human police trucks she could hear arriving outside, Five Nine Five opened up the security plating and stepped through the double doors. Half a dozen vehicles had arrived and parked in the middle of the road. Behind them, the agent could see a mixture of Rothian and Human vehicles circling the market and an area of the park a few hundred metres away. The air was electrified with sirens and airship engines, and she could feel a cold wind ruffling her coat. One of the officers from the closest truck approached her and saluted. "Your orders, ma'am?" "Take six and guard apartment 712, have the rest form a perimeter around this building. No one in or out tonight. The AI is expecting you." The officer nodded, and began relaying the orders to the other people. Five Nine Five looked around for her ride. After a couple of seconds she spotted it, an anonymous black flyer that had landed on the wide curb about thirty metres away. She half-jogged toward it.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Once he had his answer, Vreta had no desire to wait around any longer at the market. Once the Rothian commander had finished speaking to the Human officer, Vreta spoke to him again through his comm unit. [i]"That is the answer I needed. There is a government agent nearby, a Human woman. If she did not kill those two, then I have strong evidence she is associated with the people who attacked me. I'm giving you a copy of my entire recording of the incident, but we need to move quickly. We have enough evidence to arrest her under suspicion of her role in trying to murder me, as well as a potential association with a terrorist group. I doubt the charges will stick, but even if they don't, it can still work to our favor." The commander nodded along as Vreta spoke, then guided him into the back of the dropship they had arrived in. "Are you sure about this?" He asked Vreta. "Arresting a government agent could cause a mess of trouble." "Yes, but I don't think we have to worry about that. It's just an arrest. And we definitely shouldn't put up a fight if they want her released. Whether or not the charges stick, even the Humans will have to admit that we had more than enough evidence to arrest her on suspicion. She'll likely know that too, so she'll probably come quietly." Vreta reasoned. Again, the commander nodded. "Understood. Should I recall my team?" Vreta shook his head. "No, we need to hurry. I doubt we'll need more than you and your droids. Besides, it would be best for us to have our own records of the crime scene, as well. Speaking of, we need to make sure we have people investigating my attackers as well." "We already have a dropship there as we speak." The commander answered. "Good. I didn't kill all of them, so at least some of them might live for questioning if they get medical attention." --- As the Rothian dropship flew in towards Freyr's apartment building, one of its many cameras spotted the crowd of police gathered out front. Zooming in on them from a distance, it only took a moment for the dropship's facial recognition software to identify the very agent Vreta was seeking. As she started to move towards a nearby vehicle, the Rothian peacekeeper acted quickly. The dropship swept in low and stopped with seemingly impossible precision and speed between the agent and her escape. For an outside observer, the rapid deceleration looked like it would be enough to kill anyone inside, yet those within did not feel a thing. Out the back of the dropship, Vreta was the first to step out, followed close behind by the Rothian commander and three Rothian droids. Each of the machines were built in the shape and size of an augmented Rothian soldier, and their plating was sleek, smooth, and white in color. They did carry weapons, though they were the same non-lethal rifles as the commander wielded. All of Vreta's injuries still showed plainly on his body, from his exposed skull and ribs, to the hole through his gut and the many other lacerations he had received. Yet, the way he walked made it seem like he was unaware of any of them. He also wore a belt he did not have before, which seemed to have a small, circular device on the front. "Hello there." Vreta said in a calm, even tone. "Why don't you just stop there for a moment, 'agent'? We need to talk."</s>	<\|message\|>Agent 595 The blonde spook stopped mid stride as the airship appeared right in front of her. She sighed, hands on her hips as the doors opened. "What's the meaning of this-" She trailed off as Vreta stepped out. She'd received word that he was alive a couple of minutes before, in Freyr's flat, but the sight of this half blasted alien lizard still shook her. Half of his face had been blown away, and she could see exposed innards glinting in the street lights. Five Nine Five quickly smoothed over her surprised expression into something more closely resembling concern. "Vreta...Look what they did to you. I'm glad you survived." She tsked, taking in the extensive damage to the alien's exterior. "At least you had military-grade augmentations to save you." She looked squarely in Vreta's eyes. "What is it you wanted to talk about? Would it be something to do with your curiously obscured conversation with one of our scientists?" At the same time as this, Five Nine Five was communicating non-verbally with her handler via implant. "We might have a problem. I need another agent to cover my VIP, right now. Transfer operational authority to them straight away." The periphery of her vision flashed briefly, signalling her message had been received. The agent smiled sweetly at the Rothians.</s>
<\|description\|>Agent 595 Species: Human Gender: Female Age: UNKNOWN Nationality: UNKNOWN Weapons and/or equipment: UNKNOWN Backstory: UNKNOWN</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori "I'm feeling fine, personally." Vreta answered Agent 595. "I slept in a while. It was nice to get some rest after yesterday. I also got a good workout this morning, or…well, a decent one. The civilian gym on the ship isn't really meant for my level of augmentations. I put in a request for higher grade equipment; I just hope they don't see me as too 'demanding'. I'm here to solve problems, not cause them." He grinned. Vreta maintained his friendly demeanor when he turned his attention towards Freyr. "And how are you, Freyr? I'll admit, I didn't expect to find you in a place like this. I didn't take you for a soldier. Of course, I suppose I don't look like much of one on the outside either, so…appearances can be deceiving." Vreta gave a quick glance downrange at the targets. He did have some work-related questions to ask Freyr, but it was hardly time-sensitive. "Are you two going to be staying at the range for any longer? I wouldn't mind joining in, myself."</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 Freyr didn't know what to think when Vreta addressed her. If what 595 had said was true, part of her hated both of them for getting her involved in this skulduggery; frankly she wanted no part in it. There was also a part of her that simply didn't believe 595's narrative. Freyr didn't know anything about her, or the mysterious Director-General who was apparently was in charge of them both. Their evident commitment to the Cradle appeared to dwarf even hers, and she wasn't clear why yet. She vaguely remembered claims of assassination being flung around in that fateful meeting a few months ago. But here 595 and Vreta'Sori both stood, being perfectly cordial with each other. She just couldn't make sense of it. For now, she just had to focus on getting through this conversation without slipping up. Freyr partially returned to her senses when Vreta said something about her not being a soldier. "Yeah, I umm, I wanted to learn how to defend myself. Seemed appropriate, considering everything that's happened." She glanced at the time, she'd been here a while already, but couldn't think of any good reason to leave, so she nodded. "I can carry on.." She looked at 595, who nodded strenuously. "I'm not going anywhere - this is far too much fun. Shall we make things a bit more interesting?" She fiddled with the interface for a few seconds and the targets began moving quickly in all directions downrange. Freyr's eyes grew wide when she saw the speeds the targets were moving at "Err...this is my first time on the range, i'm not sure i'll be able to-" "You'll be fine! They won't bite you, just watch their path and try to anticipate where they'll be when you fire." 595 chirped, heading back to her booth before raising her massive assault rifle and laying waste to half a dozen targets at once. The noise was deafening, which made it all the harder for Freyr to focus on shooting her own targets. "I hope our feeble selection of Human weapons doesn't disappoint your Rothian sensibilities, Vreta?" 595 asked in the short pause after her gun stopped to cool down.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta shrugged, looking down at the simple pistol he took in his hand once he went to his own booth. "They are fairly small in my hands, and of course your weapons don't have the power of our own, but they are still lethal. And they are still a step up from some of the other weapons I have seen out in the galaxy. There are species out there still using metal and gunpowder for their projectiles." The most important detail about the pistol to Vreta was the fact that it had software that could link to his neural implant. With that, his combat assistance program could paint a reticle for him, even if the weapon itself was out of his field of view. It could also visualize recommended adjustments for him to make to put himself on target, and even display the predicted path of the projectile. The chaotic conditions of real combat could certainly muddy the waters, but his combat suite essentially made simple target shooting trivial. He did not even need to use particularly good form in order for him to land shot after shot with remarkable accuracy onto vital areas of the simulated targets. Unlike the agent, Vreta still paid attention to what Freyr was doing after finishing his targets. He put down his weapon and leaned back out of his booth. "Do you have any implants that would help you with shooting, Freyr? I just want to get an idea of what sort of assistance you may or may not be getting."</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 "The instructor offered to update my suite to put some kind of crosshair in my view. I turned it down, although i think i can see the use of it now…" Freyr replied, shooting and failing again to hit a speeding target. "Actually, Instructor, can you give me the crosshair please?" she called into the open air. Immediately after, she could feel something interfacing with her general purpose communications implant. A small red + appeared superimposed on her vision, and moved around as she waved her pistol. "You would benefit from a dedicated combat module. This crosshair is using resources from a multi-purpose civilian implant, which-" Freyr bade the Instructor be quiet, and aimed at the fast-moving targets. She found that with a little bit of practice, she could co-ordinate her hand and eye to track them much better. Freyr cheered out loud despite herself after stringing together three hits in a row. "Well done, Dr Lang!" 595 exclaimed. "Shall we introduce a new challenge? How about a 360 degree attack vector? Instructor, switch it up!" All the details of the shooting range disappeared, replaced by a pure black background that soaked up the light from above. A pulsing X marked the spot where the three of them should stand, backs to each other. Targets appeared all around them. "Don't let the targets touch you, or you're out!" 595 gushed, effortlessly disconnecting her used rifle battery and kicking it away in favour of a fresh one. Freyr gulped and tried to steady her hand as the targets began moving side to side at lightning speed. Something registered in the corner of her vision and she moved mainly on instinct and shot a target about a metre from her leg. 595's assault rifle began firing at full pelt, filling the sim-box with crackling energy noise again. "They're going slightly fast!" Freyr shouted over the din, shooting another.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori It was an amusing game that the agent was playing, in more ways than one. She set them up in a new, perhaps more exciting challenge. The targets could move more quickly, and in more directions. Although, it still was, at its core, target shooting. The software of Vreta's implants could keep up with targets far faster hand his hands could ever hope to track, so his perceptions were no bottleneck. Between his predictive targeting and aim assistance, the change in scenario led to no change in his performance. He did have to keep his eyes on the targets to aim at full effectiveness, but beyond that, he could hit them firing from the hip. Still just with the simple pistol, he had no trouble keeping up. Vreta kept his eyes forward, but spoke calmly towards Freyr behind him. "It's good practice to shoot in chaotic environments. A shootout is not a calm experience. There will be shouting, plenty of noise. You just have to focus on what is in front of you. Your target and your aim, that is what matters."</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 "Yes. And in a situation like this, you must always look out for your teammates. Or someone could come and stab them in the back!" 595 added, pivoting to shoot two incoming targets on the periphery of Freyr's vision. Freyr would've responded to these words of encouragement, had she not been solely focused on hitting targets. She could only keep up with the fast pace of action for about thirty seconds before two simultaneous thrusts by the floating shapes made contact with her. A klaxon sounded and the targets abruptly stopped moving. "Oh, bad luck!" 595 patted Freyr on the shoulder, her rifle pointing up at the ceiling. "I'd say you have promise. Keep practicing and we'll make a warrior of you yet. I can teach you all sorts of moves if you're interested?" Freyr hadn't been sure what to expect when she'd entered the shooting range. But she actually found it quite exhilarating. It kept her mind off what might be happening back home, while also sharpening a skill that could keep her alive in hostile environments. Freyr nodded. "I'd really appreciate some tips. Despite letting the team down I quite enjoyed that; thank you both." 595 grinned, bouncing excitedly on the balls of her feet. "How exciting! I think this will be a real bonding experience for both of us. I've also been put in charge of keeping you safe at all times - that's actually what I came to tell you before we started shooting. So we'll be seeing a lot more of each other." Freyr hesitantly returned the agent's smile. "Isn't that what all these soldiers are here for?" She asked. "Well, yes. They'll be protecting you too. But the Director-General wanted someone who has the relevant experience with Cradle-tech to be your last line of defence." The pretty lady replied before spreading her piercing gaze between Freyr and Vreta. "Do you want to run another simulation? You can choose this time, big guy."</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori On Vreta's part, the agent's role did not particularly bother him. Despite their history, there was some advantage to keeping her close. Vreta was reasonably certain the Humans had a saying regarding just that. In any case, he took a moment to review the stats on Freyr's performance in the simulation once the round ended. She did well-enough, considering her relative experience. With some upgrades to her implants and just some regular practice, he felt she could become comfortable enough with a weapon to reasonably defend herself. Although, it would also depend on how skilled she wanted to become. "If you are simply wanting to become comfortable enough with a weapon to be able to defend yourself in emergencies, I would say there is no problem using every tool at your disposal. Though, if you want to become truly skilled in a fight, there is a more comprehensive form of training you could follow." Vreta commented to Freyr. "For Rothian soldiers, we start our training without the assistance of our implants. We use just our own senses, our own reactions, our own bodies. We develop our skills from there, then add implants on top of it. That is quite a time-consuming process, though, so it is up to you whether you would find that sort of training worthwhile. Honestly, if there is one skill in particular from that training I would say is worthwhile for you to learn, it would be to keep a calm mental focus, even under stress. There are plenty of people who can aim well at the firing range, but panic when the targets are shooting back." Vreta went ahead and started going through the selections for simulation scenarios once Agent 595 made the suggestion. Assuming Freyr wanted to run another one, he decided to pick something that would benefit from keeping a cool head. It was a scenario that involved shooting hostile targets, while avoiding shooting innocent targets. "As I mentioned in my message, I do have a few questions to ask you, Freyr. I have a primer on Rothia meant for tourists that I would like to edit to help your people adapt to our world, and I just wanted to run a few of my ideas by you. It is nothing time-sensitive nor difficult, though. We could run a few more rounds of this, if you like, then discuss it in a more relaxed environment. Perhaps one with less gunshots. We could visit that 'beach room' Masgard mentioned, if you like?"</s>	<\|message\|>Agent 595 Freyr seized gratefully on the legitimate excuse to bring training to a close. As much as she'd enjoyed the session, she'd already been at the range for close to two hours. Even on a weekend, a little string at the back of her mind was pulling Freyr back to her team and all the work that needed to be done. "Ah yeah, i totally forgot. I actually think I've been on the range enough for today, so let's run through your ideas. The beach sounds good, as i think it's on the way back to the lab? Perhaps we can go again tomorrow…?" Freyr directed the last sentence at the black-clad agent still cradling a heavy assault rifle, but tailed off when she realised she still didn't know her real name. 595 looked slightly crestfallen when it became clear Freyr was done, but perked up slightly on a promise of a rematch. "Alright, i'll allow it. You kids have fun." She gave Freyr a pointed look before resuming the target shooting simulation. Her rifle began firing at full tilt even before Vreta and Freyr had even filed out of the box. Glancing back to see her gracefully covering all vectors, Freyr could at least say she was pleased the agent was tasked with protecting her. She wouldn't want to be enemies with her. They exchanged small talk on the short trip from the combat simulation area to 'Beach Leisure B35'. Freyr couldn't help but smile upon seeing what lay behind the blast doors. The first thing she noticed was the ceiling, which had for all intents and purposes had an exact replica of Outremer's sun beaming down from it. The sky was hologrammed in too, with tiny fluffy clouds gathering in the corners of the room. Freyr instantly felt a sense of open space and could see the benefits of this kind of facility. The beach was equally delightful. An L shaped bank of sand with tropical trees and bushes gathered against the walls led down to a pool of azure water. Waves gently lapped onto the beach. The only human structures were the deckchairs arranged along the beach and a small lifeguards hut. As it was still not even lunchtime, there were only a few dozen sailors hanging out to enjoy the heat. Freyr couldn't resist. She rushed to a deckchair and took off her shoes, socks and jumper. Leaving them by the chair, she rolled up her trouser legs and headed straight to the water's edge. The water was warm and inviting. She turned back to Vreta. "It's lovely! Are you comfortable with water?"</s>
<\|description\|>Agent 595 Species: Human Gender: Female Age: UNKNOWN Nationality: UNKNOWN Weapons and/or equipment: UNKNOWN Backstory: UNKNOWN</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang "Perhaps. Direct communication between the Cradle and anything outside Babylon's biosphere is basically impossible. In theory, you could transmit information indirectly through all of the connections the Cradle has with our infrastructure on Outremer." Freyr mused as they rounded a large bank of workspace to the console. She shooed Dr Hou away from the interface's main seat in Cantonese and began manipulating a holo of a double helix, regressing Vreta's DNA back to its original form. "However, these connections are basically all one way: outward from the Cradle. Which means any inward traffic would raise flags that are closely monitored. The most public devices I can think of that freely send information into the Cradle are the entry harnesses and implants. But even then, they serve the quite simple purpose of associating that person with a Cradle ID. No wiggle room for other information that i can think of..." With the DNA strand returned to a pre-augmented state, Freyr and several of her team stripped it back even further. They pulled at the thread that was evolution, following a trail of mutations back through the entire history of the Rothian species. "So with conventional signals unlikely, where does that leave us? We know the Cradle has the ability to manipulate DNA, from the creatures that attacked us. What if, whatever may be on Rothia...did something similar to you, in the hope that you'll find your way to the Cradle? With a similar 'signature' style, the Cradle would be able to recognise anything related to it straight away. Moreover, the Rothia entity could encode all sorts of information into your genes, including patterns that can be converted into coordinates." With Vreta's DNA now devolved to a very early point in Rothian development, Freyr motioned for her team to stop. Putting on a pair of overlay glasses to add some of the annotations back into her view of the holo, Freyr brought in a DNA sample found in all of the Cradle creature samples. Dr Hou and several more of the team activated a machine learning algorithm to detect similarities and patterns. Parts of each structure began quickly highlighting as the program cross-referenced them.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta could easily along with what Freyr was suggesting, though he had a hard time accepting it as anything more than a fantasy. For it to be true would upend their concept of the history of life on their planet. A planet that, as of right now, still did not show any evidence for the presence of intelligent life before themselves. Of course, if there was something related to the Cradle on Rothia, then that alone would rewrite their history. "That is…well I can't say that I can outright deny it as a possibility, but for that to be true would require our species to have been manipulated, maybe even formed, by an ancient species that left no trace of themselves on our planet. Our DNA has been thoroughly sequenced and explored, as has the DNA of nearly every living thing on our planet. We have never found anything we would identify as coordinates. Something like that would almost certainly have to be found in junk DNA, as it is highly unlikely that a set of spacial coordinates would just so happen to code for a useful protein. But even our junk DNA has been explored thoroughly. The only way I would imagine that being possible is if the Cradle's software used a notation for coordinates that would be unfamiliar to us. My people, of course, have not been allowed direct access to Cradle software before, so I would not know how its notations for programming and mathematics would differ." Vreta admitted.</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 "Yes, the Cradle has its own language that is baffling in scale and complexity. We don't understand all of it yet, but we should be able to at least pick up this 'signature' if it appears." Freyr explained as a shape moving into the lab caught her eye. Looking up, she saw Agent 595 approaching, a curious look on her face. "What's going on in here?" She asked, wearing a polite smile. Freyr began to explain, but a noise from the console interrupted her halfway through. "Oh my…" she murmured, utterly engrossed in the data displaying in her overlay glasses. Dr Hou began shouting excitedly in Cantonese and grabbed one of his colleagues to double check. "Vreta... i think we have a match!" Freyr looked up at the alien, eyes shining behind her glasses. On the hologram, numerous small patterns were simultaneously detected and pulled out of the double Helix. "Your DNA presents multiple similarities with a Cradle design!" Pretty much everyone in the lab had stopped to watch this experiment unfold by this point. When the results came in, they all began excitedly whooping, yelling, chatting and crowding around Freyr to congratulate her. She grinned broadly, still unable to believe what she was seeing. She returned a few high fives before dishing out further orders; namely to decode the exact coordinates from the data. Her team swirled around her like a shoal of fish as they got to work. 595 came around to Vreta's side and watched his expression with an inscrutable stare. "Welcome to the family. What're you going to do now?"</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta was not chatting and cheering as was most of the crowd. In fact, he was rather firmly silent. Despite all his training and mental fortitude, the magnitude of this potential revelation was enough to coax some visible reaction out of him, even if it was just a few seconds of a wide-eyed stare with his mouth slightly agape. It did not take long for Vreta to compose himself externally, though he still did not give much attention to the others in the room. He became stony-faced and remained silent, not even giving a reply to Agent 595 before he calmly moved to the console and began checking and re-checking both the data and the signatures they had been looking for. When the chattering between Freyr's team started to soften, Vreta spoke with a strange, unemotional calm to his voice. "I would hesitate to celebrate so quickly. These results still need to be checked, and other explanations eliminated. I am noticing that your methodology for extrapolating our evolutionary history does involve some guesswork to bridge some gaps. Well-educated guesswork, granted, but there is some room for uncertainty. I will make sure to get you more comprehensive data on our genetic history so the test can be run under more ideal conditions. I suggest you keep testing and examining any potential source of error. If this is a conclusion that is going to be presented…we need to make sure it is undeniable. I believe I shall go…take some time to think. Perhaps finish editing those pamphlets. Though before I do…" Vreta let out a sigh, then looked up from the console towards Freyr. "This test you just performed on my genetic code, this search for Cradle signatures…has it ever been performed on Human DNA?"</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr looked at Vreta and immediately realised she'd been insensitive. This discovery, if correct, could change everything he thought he knew about himself. She was still learning Rothian expressions, but her new friend seemed "Yes of course, we'll make sure we're one hundred percent certain before going any further." She reached out and put her hand on Vreta's as it lay forlornly across the console, giving it a squeeze. "Everything is going to be OK, i promise." Vreta's last question caught Freyr off guard - she withdrew her hand and scratched her head. "I suppose, no...we haven't. We've only been able to analyse organic tissue samples from Cradle creatures for a few months. I don't think we've looked at our own DNA…" Freyr looked around at her team, and a few of them shook their heads. "But I can see your logic...Dr Hou, get me a swab kit!" The lab was now in a frenzy, and Freyr quickly blocked out all non-participants. "I think we should leave them to it. We'll only get in the way of this well-oiled machine." 595 said, appearing at Vreta's side again. She wanted to get the Rothian away from the lab in case another earth-shattering discovery was made; information was flowing a little bit too freely right now. Then, she could buy some time to report back to her superiors and get her orders.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta gave no objections to leaving, as he had his own concerns to deal with. Although the revelations did not do too much to increase his workload aboard the ship over the next two weeks, I did dominate many waking hours of thought. He had access to acceptable FTL communications, so he could send ahead data and alert his people to be prepared to test this new discovery, but there was little else he could do in that regard. Once he had distributed informative pamphlets among the crew, and held a few more meetings with certain important individuals to ensure they knew what to expect from Rothia, all there was for Vreta was to await their arrival. In all his centuries, the two weeks aboard the Barbarossa were probably the longest two weeks of his life. Until their ship arrived, there was little progress that could be made on any front, just waiting and wondering. Even by his own high standards, there was plenty for Vreta to do to occupy his time, but it was never enough to distract his thoughts. Regardless, he still made the attempt. Most of his time he spent alone, browsing whatever entertainment the ship had on offer. Human media was not something that was new to him, even before taking his position on Outremer. Entertainment from multiple species were distributed and sold throughout the galaxy, wherever there might be a market for it. Some of their entertainment did demonstrate parts of their more peculiar facets, but Vreta could still enjoy it. Otherwise, he divided his time between relaxing in the beach room, and chatting with members of the crew. He decided to get to know some of the people he would be working with a bit better, like Freyr, her team, and even Magard. Agent 595…less so. Regardless, when it did finally come time for the ship to arrive at Rothia, he still invited her to join him in the observation room along with Freyr and the others. Vreta stood up at the front of the room near the massive window that gave them their view of what was ahead of the ship. FTL warped spacetime in a way that was almost unrecognizable to the eyes, but once they dropped to sub-luminal speeds, everything came clearly into view. They had dropped out of FTL a safe distance from, but within clear view of Rothia. The planet itself, from high above, was a world of green continents and blue oceans, with the reddish brown of some deserts scattered around, like many habitable worlds. There was a notable lack of ice caps, with a green forest on the northern pole, and ocean on the south. Though, it was what was in space that was more eye-catching. It had a ring system about its equator to rival that of some gas giants, proportionally. They were mostly shades of white, brown, and tinges of other colors. Ultimately, while Rothia itself was eye-catching in its own right, it was what was beyond the planet that would certainly capture the attention and imagination of any onlookers, for Rothia did not orbit a standard, main-sequence star. In fact, it did not orbit a star at all. The object at the center of the system was an active stellar-mass black hole. Instead of nuclear fusion, it was the intense energy of its accretion disk that provided Rothia's heat and light. To see the total blackness of the void at its center, even from a distance, was a sight was was spectacular to many, and haunting to some.</s>	<\|message\|>Agent 595 The Welcome Wagon The rest of Barbarossa's two week journey to Rothia passed in a flurry of activity for Freyr. The discovery of Cradle-like interference in Rothian genetics had to be verified beyond a shadow of a doubt. The team cross referenced seven different Cradle creature samples with the complete library of Rothian DNA history Vreta provided. On day four, Freyr could say with some certainty that a complex message was hidden in Vreta's junk DNA. Part of that message was incomprehensible, but they were able to extract the same coordinates the comms array had pinged back on Outremer. After a couple of mandated delays, they tested a sample of Human DNA in the same way on day three. 595 showed up with a delegate from the Security Council and classified it Top Secret, meaning the experiment was conducted behind closed doors. Apart from work, which took up about seventy percent of her waking hours, Freyr spent time in the combat simulator with 595 and (sometimes) Masgard. They practiced on targets and gradually became more familiar with a variety of weapons. Freyr found out that Masgard was something of an Outremer aristocrat; he could trace his lineage back to the small first wave of colonists that landed on the planet. He had been a partner at one of Babylon's top law firms before being poached to work for the Director-General. Freyr couldn't coax any details out of Agent 595, not even her real name. The captain had referred to her as 'from Cradle Security', but Freyr sincerely doubted that was the case. CraSec, up until a few months ago, had been a bunch of glorified night watchmen. Behind 595's friendly, occasionally excitable persona was a vicious solo operator who seemed at ease in extremely dangerous situations. On day seven, she clinically dismantled multiple combat droids in hand to hand combat with Freyr and Masgard watching in disbelief. The same day, 595 insisted on clearing a kill house meant for four people on her own. To unwind from all this, Freyr spent a bit more time in the beach room. However she couldn't stay in there alone, often electing to invite Vreta. That was on her own, she always ended up thinking about how she never got the chance to take David and Amy to a beach. In fact, every one of Freyr's waking moments not occupied by frenzied activity somehow wound back to thinking about her family. She did not sleep easily, and her dreams were plagued by Cradle monsters. She was excited to see Rothia, having read up on what to expect beforehand. But when Vreta invited her to the observation deck on arrival day, it surpassed all expectations. "Oh, wow!" She exclaimed, covering her open mouth with both hands at the sight of the famed black hole. "Look at that.." Masgard murmured beside her. "Very picturesque, Vreta'Sori! I can see why you wanted us to come all this way now." 595 grinned, patting the top of Vreta's tail where a Human's behind would've been. Freyr's team were like kids in an aquarium, pressing their noses to the glass to get as close as possible. "Such a pretty planet, too!" Freyr cooed, taking in all the colours of the rings. She took pictures via her implant and resolved to show them to David and Amy when she saw them next.</s>
<\|description\|>Agent 595 Species: Human Gender: Female Age: UNKNOWN Nationality: UNKNOWN Weapons and/or equipment: UNKNOWN Backstory: UNKNOWN</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta was not chatting and cheering as was most of the crowd. In fact, he was rather firmly silent. Despite all his training and mental fortitude, the magnitude of this potential revelation was enough to coax some visible reaction out of him, even if it was just a few seconds of a wide-eyed stare with his mouth slightly agape. It did not take long for Vreta to compose himself externally, though he still did not give much attention to the others in the room. He became stony-faced and remained silent, not even giving a reply to Agent 595 before he calmly moved to the console and began checking and re-checking both the data and the signatures they had been looking for. When the chattering between Freyr's team started to soften, Vreta spoke with a strange, unemotional calm to his voice. "I would hesitate to celebrate so quickly. These results still need to be checked, and other explanations eliminated. I am noticing that your methodology for extrapolating our evolutionary history does involve some guesswork to bridge some gaps. Well-educated guesswork, granted, but there is some room for uncertainty. I will make sure to get you more comprehensive data on our genetic history so the test can be run under more ideal conditions. I suggest you keep testing and examining any potential source of error. If this is a conclusion that is going to be presented…we need to make sure it is undeniable. I believe I shall go…take some time to think. Perhaps finish editing those pamphlets. Though before I do…" Vreta let out a sigh, then looked up from the console towards Freyr. "This test you just performed on my genetic code, this search for Cradle signatures…has it ever been performed on Human DNA?"</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr looked at Vreta and immediately realised she'd been insensitive. This discovery, if correct, could change everything he thought he knew about himself. She was still learning Rothian expressions, but her new friend seemed "Yes of course, we'll make sure we're one hundred percent certain before going any further." She reached out and put her hand on Vreta's as it lay forlornly across the console, giving it a squeeze. "Everything is going to be OK, i promise." Vreta's last question caught Freyr off guard - she withdrew her hand and scratched her head. "I suppose, no...we haven't. We've only been able to analyse organic tissue samples from Cradle creatures for a few months. I don't think we've looked at our own DNA…" Freyr looked around at her team, and a few of them shook their heads. "But I can see your logic...Dr Hou, get me a swab kit!" The lab was now in a frenzy, and Freyr quickly blocked out all non-participants. "I think we should leave them to it. We'll only get in the way of this well-oiled machine." 595 said, appearing at Vreta's side again. She wanted to get the Rothian away from the lab in case another earth-shattering discovery was made; information was flowing a little bit too freely right now. Then, she could buy some time to report back to her superiors and get her orders.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta gave no objections to leaving, as he had his own concerns to deal with. Although the revelations did not do too much to increase his workload aboard the ship over the next two weeks, I did dominate many waking hours of thought. He had access to acceptable FTL communications, so he could send ahead data and alert his people to be prepared to test this new discovery, but there was little else he could do in that regard. Once he had distributed informative pamphlets among the crew, and held a few more meetings with certain important individuals to ensure they knew what to expect from Rothia, all there was for Vreta was to await their arrival. In all his centuries, the two weeks aboard the Barbarossa were probably the longest two weeks of his life. Until their ship arrived, there was little progress that could be made on any front, just waiting and wondering. Even by his own high standards, there was plenty for Vreta to do to occupy his time, but it was never enough to distract his thoughts. Regardless, he still made the attempt. Most of his time he spent alone, browsing whatever entertainment the ship had on offer. Human media was not something that was new to him, even before taking his position on Outremer. Entertainment from multiple species were distributed and sold throughout the galaxy, wherever there might be a market for it. Some of their entertainment did demonstrate parts of their more peculiar facets, but Vreta could still enjoy it. Otherwise, he divided his time between relaxing in the beach room, and chatting with members of the crew. He decided to get to know some of the people he would be working with a bit better, like Freyr, her team, and even Magard. Agent 595…less so. Regardless, when it did finally come time for the ship to arrive at Rothia, he still invited her to join him in the observation room along with Freyr and the others. Vreta stood up at the front of the room near the massive window that gave them their view of what was ahead of the ship. FTL warped spacetime in a way that was almost unrecognizable to the eyes, but once they dropped to sub-luminal speeds, everything came clearly into view. They had dropped out of FTL a safe distance from, but within clear view of Rothia. The planet itself, from high above, was a world of green continents and blue oceans, with the reddish brown of some deserts scattered around, like many habitable worlds. There was a notable lack of ice caps, with a green forest on the northern pole, and ocean on the south. Though, it was what was in space that was more eye-catching. It had a ring system about its equator to rival that of some gas giants, proportionally. They were mostly shades of white, brown, and tinges of other colors. Ultimately, while Rothia itself was eye-catching in its own right, it was what was beyond the planet that would certainly capture the attention and imagination of any onlookers, for Rothia did not orbit a standard, main-sequence star. In fact, it did not orbit a star at all. The object at the center of the system was an active stellar-mass black hole. Instead of nuclear fusion, it was the intense energy of its accretion disk that provided Rothia's heat and light. To see the total blackness of the void at its center, even from a distance, was a sight was was spectacular to many, and haunting to some.</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 The Welcome Wagon The rest of Barbarossa's two week journey to Rothia passed in a flurry of activity for Freyr. The discovery of Cradle-like interference in Rothian genetics had to be verified beyond a shadow of a doubt. The team cross referenced seven different Cradle creature samples with the complete library of Rothian DNA history Vreta provided. On day four, Freyr could say with some certainty that a complex message was hidden in Vreta's junk DNA. Part of that message was incomprehensible, but they were able to extract the same coordinates the comms array had pinged back on Outremer. After a couple of mandated delays, they tested a sample of Human DNA in the same way on day three. 595 showed up with a delegate from the Security Council and classified it Top Secret, meaning the experiment was conducted behind closed doors. Apart from work, which took up about seventy percent of her waking hours, Freyr spent time in the combat simulator with 595 and (sometimes) Masgard. They practiced on targets and gradually became more familiar with a variety of weapons. Freyr found out that Masgard was something of an Outremer aristocrat; he could trace his lineage back to the small first wave of colonists that landed on the planet. He had been a partner at one of Babylon's top law firms before being poached to work for the Director-General. Freyr couldn't coax any details out of Agent 595, not even her real name. The captain had referred to her as 'from Cradle Security', but Freyr sincerely doubted that was the case. CraSec, up until a few months ago, had been a bunch of glorified night watchmen. Behind 595's friendly, occasionally excitable persona was a vicious solo operator who seemed at ease in extremely dangerous situations. On day seven, she clinically dismantled multiple combat droids in hand to hand combat with Freyr and Masgard watching in disbelief. The same day, 595 insisted on clearing a kill house meant for four people on her own. To unwind from all this, Freyr spent a bit more time in the beach room. However she couldn't stay in there alone, often electing to invite Vreta. That was on her own, she always ended up thinking about how she never got the chance to take David and Amy to a beach. In fact, every one of Freyr's waking moments not occupied by frenzied activity somehow wound back to thinking about her family. She did not sleep easily, and her dreams were plagued by Cradle monsters. She was excited to see Rothia, having read up on what to expect beforehand. But when Vreta invited her to the observation deck on arrival day, it surpassed all expectations. "Oh, wow!" She exclaimed, covering her open mouth with both hands at the sight of the famed black hole. "Look at that.." Masgard murmured beside her. "Very picturesque, Vreta'Sori! I can see why you wanted us to come all this way now." 595 grinned, patting the top of Vreta's tail where a Human's behind would've been. Freyr's team were like kids in an aquarium, pressing their noses to the glass to get as close as possible. "Such a pretty planet, too!" Freyr cooed, taking in all the colours of the rings. She took pictures via her implant and resolved to show them to David and Amy when she saw them next.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta himself simply took in the sights as well for the first few moments. He reacted briefly, nearly jumping when the Agent started patting his tail, as he was unsure of her meaning. Certainly, he doubted she intended the same meaning as he would have expected from a Rothian. Regardless, he did not dwell on her, and instead focused on the sight before them. "I was not hatched on Rothia. I am from Syr'Jakra, originally, so I can actually relate to the experience of seeing all of this for the first time. I first saw it I believe around five hundred years ago. I came here with my first, um…I believe you would consider her a 'wife' to me, in celebration of our bond. I find a black hole to be one of the most spectacular and awe-inspiring sights the universe can provide. It is an object of extremes, bending the limits of physics itself. Although…if I can be candid for a moment, I do find the meaning of your words for it in your language a little disappointing. 'Black hole' just sounds…inelegant. The closest meaning in our language for this object is a 'void star'." Vreta explained. The Barbarossa was quick to approach Rothia's orbit after dropping out of FTL, though they slowed considerably the nearer they came to the planet and the orbital dockyards. As their homeworld and center of government, Rothia had by far the most expansive set of planetary defenses of any Rothian world, if not the entire galaxy. Orbital platforms were, by and large, organized to orbit in an even hexagonal grid across the entire planet. Many served as defensive weapon platforms, some were hangers for defensive strikecraft, but all of them doubled as emitters for the largest energy shield in the known galaxy. Together, the orbital platforms could essentially form a shell around the planet to protect entirely against bombardment. At its passive strength, the shield was not visible unless attacked, but at combat power, it formed a planetary aegis that could be seen even from the ground. Naturally, sections of the shield remained disabled to allow ships to move between orbit and the surface for everyday commerce, which also necessitated that every ship follow strictly pre-determined flight paths. That was part of the reason that Vreta had intentionally invited…certain observers. Of course, to bring a warship to Rothia had to be approved by the relevant Rothian authorities. For a scientific expedition, an armed warship was not necessary, but they had approved it without resistance, regardless. It was posturing, that much was obvious, particularly once Vreta had seen that they had chosen a state-of-the-art warship to carry their emissaries. So, although Vreta had not received explicit confirmation of it, he had a feeling he knew what kind of flight path the Barbarossa would be given. In addition to their orbital emplacements, Rothia, of course, had the largest Rothian defensive fleet out of any of their worlds, and as they could easily see out the window, their flight path took them right in the shadow of a massive Rothian supercarrier: a vessel that dwarfed even the impressive size of the Barbarossa. They were ships meant to be able to carry out entire invasions on their own, even if lacking support ships. Following her example, Vreta glanced down at 595 and patted her behind once with a flick of his tail, gesturing up to the supercarrier looming over them. "The Niris'sho'Roth, flagship of the entire Rothian fleet. Even to me, it's a marvel. I would love to be able to see its new main weapon fire, though I don't think it has ever been used against an actual target. It has earned the moniker of an 'extinction cannon' for a reason."</s>	<\|message\|>Agent 595 "Very impressive. But, can it go three rounds in the ring with me?" 595 asked, raising her fists and bouncing on the balls of her feet, as if to brawl the supercarrier. She tested out six lightning fast jabs on the air that were quite hard to track with the naked eye, ducking left and right. Freyr giggled watching her and Vreta's expression. 595 was wearing a black, skin tight combat suit today instead of her usual uniform. Her yellow hair was in a tight braid down the back of her head. Freyr thought she looked quite striking. "That ship has quite an organic shape, is there a reason for that?" Masgard asked, pointing to the supercarrier. Freyr looked at it and even as someone who wasn't generally interested in warships (apart from the AIs that helped run them), was intrigued by the massive ship's unique silhouette. The Barb sailed past the supercarrier, but they didn't go too much further until a massive space structure loomed in the forward observation window. Freyr guessed it was some kind of orbital docking station, as several smaller craft were already clinging to it. They sidled up alongside the dock as Freyr carried on marvelling Rothia and it's incredible black hole. Soon after, a voice sounded over the tannoy. "This is your captain. Docking is complete and a full stop has been achieved. Welcome to Rothia, everyone." A few people cheered exuberantly as most of the crew began filing out of the observation deck. "Shall we go?" Freyr asked of everyone. "Don't want to keep people waiting."</s>
<\|description\|>Agent 595 Species: Human Gender: Female Age: UNKNOWN Nationality: UNKNOWN Weapons and/or equipment: UNKNOWN Backstory: UNKNOWN</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori "A date?" Vreta remarked, slightly tilting his head. "Hmm, no, such outings are not uncommon among Rothian friends and acquaintances." He explained. Although, her suggestion to go back to the Barbarossa did cause some notable hesitation for Vreta. "Going back to the Barb is an option, but I will say that going back to the ship would require us to go through customs again, going to the ship and coming back. We could reach a restaurant here in the city in just a few minutes. If you are opposed to visiting an establishment here on Rothia, we could just go to a meeting room down the hall and talk. I simply thought it would be a nice treat, after so long on the ship. The restaurant I had in mind is simply phenomenal; among the best on Rothia." Vreta smiled. "And I suppose I can admit some…alternative motivation in wanting to show off what my planet has to offer."</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 Freyr chuckled, running a hand through her hair. "It's okay. I'm only joking." She glanced behind Vreta again and almost betrayed an expression of complete shock at what she saw. Both Kalax the Ambassador and 595 were looking at her now. They were both facing the same way, their left side to her and their backs to the majority of the group. Kalax was subtly sticking his rear out and had an index finger stuck against his pursed lips in a 'sshhhh' motion. 595 was gyrating slowly up against him, gently patting his behind with an impish grin on her face. "I have some ladies evening wear you can borrow. I import the latest sartorial vogue from Outremer and other Human colonies." Kalax joined their private comms. "Kalax and I will chaperone you lovebirds on your date, now we're all firm friends." 595 added. WILL YOU TWO BEHAVE?! Freyr mind-shouted, before hurriedly smiling at Vreta as he began to turn to where she kept glancing, presumably catching on that she was preoccupied. "Ok, that does sound lovely! I think the meeting is well and truly over." Freyr said, feigning a good look around the room. 595 and Kalax were closest, deep in conversation, as were most of the other delegates. "Do you want to go soon? I can be dismissed and we can set off now if you like."</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori "Yes, I think I am ready to leave as soon as you are. I shall go out to the landing pad and arrange transport." Vreta replied. He gave Freyr the chance to get herself ready while he went outside to wait. Before he had even left the building, their transport was already on the way to the landing pad outside. In Rothian cities, transportation tended to be government-provided in the form of automated flying vehicles that could simply be called via the city's public network at no charge, for locals and tourists alike. The vehicles themselves were comfortable, and built to most Rothians' standards of luxury, so they were commonly used by all economic classes. As soon as Freyr rejoined Vreta, the pair of them departed for the restaurant. Technically, the establishment he had in mind was across the city, but since it was on the upper level as well, it would only take a few minutes to reach. In general, traversing the city did not take too long, but the highest travel times were often associated with traveling through the more congested passways between layers of the city. Of course, even with the short trip, Vreta did notice that the two of them were not alone in leaving early. The agent and the Human ambassador left just after them, heading in the same direction. The Human pair might have wanted to pass off the fact that they were following them as a simple coincidence, but the restaurant to which Vreta was taking Freyr was not exactly a place one would visit casually. As would be obvious once they landed, the restaurant was a particularly high-class establishment, even by Rothian standards. The name of the restaurant was Etisxa'Maan, meaning "Galaxy's Jewel". Assuming one had not already heard of it beforehand, any quick search would reveal that it was a luxury restaurant that specialized in expensive, rare, and exotic foods not only from Rothia, but all corners of the galaxy. They claimed to have in their employ at least one chef of interstellar renown from every spacefaring species in the galaxy, and most reviewers agreed that the quality of their cuisine did match their claims. The restaurant itself took up several floors at the very top of the skyscraper, so it had a viewpoint even higher than the mountains surrounding the city, and the walls were mostly windows to obstruct that view as little as possible. Similarly to their galactic cuisine, the restaurant was decorated with art, such as paintings, sculptures, and holographic designs, purchased from each of the species represented. Freyr might even have recognized some more famous Human art pieces. Despite coming from wildly different cultures, every decoration was still selected carefully to cultivate the refined atmosphere they were seeking. Generally, Etisxa'Maan was an establishment that would require reservations to even think about getting a seat, but Vreta paid a premium fee for preferred seating on a balcony overlooking the city…something that either the ambassador or Agent 595 would have to do as well if they wanted to even have a chance of being seated.</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 Freyr confirmed she was no longer needed for the day with Captain Andersen, which was customary as a passenger on an Outreman warship. She quickly made her way around the remaining delegates, saying thank you for the meeting and goodbye for now. "Did you want to stop by my place and get changed, Dr Lang?" Ambassador Verengonig asked as she walked toward the exit. "No thank you. That was really unprofessional by the way, butting into my conversation like that." Freyr directed her venom primarily at agent 595, who she was sure masterminded the whole thing. "Says the woman consorting with spies at every turn!" 595 snorted. "I am just trying to save you from a precipitous fall from grace down the line, sweetie." Freyr huffed in despair and stormed off. She was in a foul mood when she rejoined Vreta in the flyer to the restaurant. She had secretly wanted to indulge the Ambassador and dress up, but was fed up to the back teeth of being condescended by this mysterious guardian angel she'd picked up along the way. Freyr hadn't forgotten 595's words about Vreta, but the agent's polarising behaviour had inclined her to risk it, if purely for the pleasure of disobeying. "Wow." Freyr gasped upon seeing the view from the balcony on one side of the restaurant where they were seated. She temporarily forgot her annoyance as she took in the landscape behind the capital's dominant mountainscape "You certainly aren't short on views in Threria." They sat down and a Tindrel waiter clacked over on all fours to pour them a starting drink from a jug. "Is this an every day affair for you?" Freyr asked, taking a sip.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta too looked out over the horizon to admire the view before them. It was true that he had seen many, many such views in his life, but he could still found that he could clear his mind and enjoy the beauty within them. Although, in this case, he did not lose his focus for long. "Oh, no, even I only come to this place on special occasions. I think it is a fair way to celebrate a return to home after these weeks away." Vreta answered, pausing briefly to thank the insectoid waiter serving their drinks. There was a small, holographic display near each seat that could be activated to show a menu, which provided a quick answer as to why even Vreta visited only on occasion. As long as Freyr had a quick way of making the conversion for exchange rates, the prices could be best described as "extravagantly expensive." On Rothia, there was, of course, the ever-present knowledge that every word and action was recorded, even if it was not done obviously. Most cameras and other sensors were hidden well out of sight. However, aside from when the waiter was nearby, there were currently no other people within normal earshot of them. Once the waiter had moved on for the moment to give them time to order, Vreta spoke up again, this time in a bit softer of a voice. "I would normally wait a bit longer to get straight to business, but…I don't think it would be fair of me to keep you waiting on this particular topic. Like I mentioned before, it is rather personal to you. It's about your family; your husband and daughter. I know it is a sensitive topic, but I want to help. I will just give my intentions plain: I want to try to work towards a deal to start medical trials for using Rothian technology to treat people who have 'died' in the Cradle, or had their minds otherwise incapacitated."</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 Freyr choked on her drink, spluttering and patting her chest for a few seconds until she could breathe again. That was the last place she suspected this talk would go. "But...why? No Rothians have ever died in the Cradle before, you'd have nothing to gain. Not to mention the fact that it'd be incredibly expensive and potentially futile research. We've tried every possible solution and had no luck at all." Freyr felt her temperature rising. Just talking about this topic brought her back to seeing her family laying in the Cradle-Morgue, technically alive but completely unresponsive. Freyr quickly dabbed her eyes with a napkin just as two eye-catching individuals entered her field of view. Kalax and Agent 595 had obviously had time for a quick change, because they both wore long, strapless black dresses of an exquisite material. 595 sported a delicate gold pendent that plunged into her cleavage and a very stylish clutch bag while Kalax wore a shiny black dinner jacket and a small, round, red hat on his head. They exited onto the same balcony as them and crossed behind Vreta before making their way past the table. 595 noticed Freyr looked distressed and quickly knelt beside her. "What's happened, are you okay?" She shot a venomous look at Vreta. "Would you like a tissue?" Kalax asked, handing Freyr a pack. "Thank you. Yeah, i'm fine, just please go. I need a minute." Freyr responded, continuing to dab her eyes. "See what you've done?!" 595 theatrically rounded on Vreta, wielding her clutch bag. "Five-Nine-Five, please fuck off! It's me, not him." Freyr demanded shakily. 595 seemed unconvinced, but gave Vreta the 'i'm watching you' look. "We're right over there, let me know if you need me." She signed off, linking arms with Kalax to head to their table, some thirty feet away. "I'm sorry..." Freyr sniffed, finally regaining some composure. "I just really wasn't expecting to talk about this right now."</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta was unsurprised to see the agent and ambassador had followed them to the restaurant. If anything, he had expected to see them sooner, but they had evidently taken the time to dress themselves in the kind of formal clothing Humans seemed to believe was required for locations such as this. Given Freyr's state on their arrival, the agent in particular had words for him, but he did not reply, nor do much else but acknowledge them with a glance. He was here to talk to Freyr, not to let the two of them distract them and derail their conversation. Fortunately, Freyr did not seem keen on their company either, so she ended up sending them away before Vreta needed to. Vreta waited until they were alone once more to continue. "I know. That is why I wanted to get straight to it, rather than beating around the bush. I know this is not a comfortable topic for you, but I do hope to bring solutions, not problems. You are right that my people would need to see some benefit in order for my government to approve the research. But, those benefits do exist, in this case. At least from what I have been told, Cradle death can cause kinds of neurological issues that my people have not had much of a chance to study. Despite all the differences between our bodies, your brains and ours are not too dissimilar, at their core. To carry out this study allows us to learn more about the mind and improve our own medicine. Knowledge itself is a more than sufficient reward to justify the cost of the study. And even beyond that, if we are going to be working closer together to study the Cradle, there is more of a chance than ever that something could happen to a Rothian in the Cradle. I personally have nearly died twice in that damned place." The tone in which Vreta had been speaking had been somewhat emotionless while he had been simply giving a list of facts of why his people would benefit from the study. However, his tone became more sympathetic as he continued on beyond the pragmatic reasons. "For me, personally, I do want my people to gain those benefits I just mentioned, of course, but...I do want to help you. That is why the idea came to my mind in the first place. What you have been through is heartbreaking, and I see the possibility that your family might be made whole again. And even more families beyond yours, if the study is successful."</s>	<\|message\|>Agent 595 Freyr couldn't quite believe it. A sparkling avenue of hope that'd been closed from the day she'd seen her family in the Morgue, and was told of the situation, was opening up again. She felt tears welling up again, happier this time, and patted at her eyes with one of Kalax' tissues. "I, um, I don't know what to say!" Freyr exclaimed, laughing softly through her tears. "Thank you, for wanting to try at least. That means a lot to me. However, I don't have the authority to set those trials up. I'm not even sure who would. Perhaps we could ask Kalax to put out some feelers?" At that point, the loud POP of a cork made Freyr look round. It seemed the Outremer Security Council delegate had been invited to join Kalax and 595's table, having just exited onto the balcony via another door. A waiter stood by their table with an ice bucket and a recently opened bottle of champagne, pouring it into three delicate crystal glasses. Kalax and 595 howled with laughter at some joke before standing up to greet the delegate. Freyr looked back and smiled at Vreta, feeling her face with her hands to make sure all her tears were gone. "Shall we order?"</s>
<\|description\|>Agent 595 Species: Human Gender: Female Age: UNKNOWN Nationality: UNKNOWN Weapons and/or equipment: UNKNOWN Backstory: UNKNOWN</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 "How are you feeling?" Masgard asked, sitting on the side of the bed as Freyr swallowed the pill and finished the glass of water. The cocktail of painkillers, stimulants and electrolytes suppressed her crushing headache and allowed Freyr to at least open her eyes. She moved the cover from over her head. Masgard was dressed in a new suit, light grey this time. He looked annoyingly put together, all things considered. "Rough. I'll be ready in the minute. What happened last night?" Masgard chuckled, looking out of a window and scratching his nose. "Well, umm, Vreta'Sori and 595 got together." "What?!" "Shhh, they'll hear you! I just wanted to warn you in case they're still on the couch." In the open plan living space down the hall, 595 woke up to look straight in Vreta's eyes. She looked around and realised where they were. "Well, good morning." She murmured, quickly levering herself up so she could look over the back of the couch. The room was massive, but that didn't stop the sounds and smells of Kalax preparing breakfast wafting over from the kitchen island. He didn't seem to notice her, so she dropped back down. 595 quickly slid off the couch and found her underwear in a pile. While hopping into her sturdy black knickers and bra, she spooled back through her black box recordings to fill in some of the blanks. Admittedly there weren't many; she'd been filtering some of the effects so she was still somewhat able to discharge her duties. She bit her lip at the memory of hoisting that innocent in the club. Oops. Kinda invigorating though. Being the most deadly woman in any room was a key benefit of the role, she thought. 595 looked at Vreta. "Don't get any ideas, big guy."</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta sat up on the couch, briefly taking a moment to stretch out the arm 595 had been lying on all night. He watched her scrounge around and put on the clothes she found, though unlike most Human observers, her lack of clothing hardly even registered with Vreta. She could walk through Threria naked and most Rothians would scarcely notice. "I don't know what you mean." Vreta remarked, and honestly, in this case. He did not have any of the anxiety she seemed to be showing, if he was placing that emotion correctly. At the very least, she had been in a hurry to get up for some reason. "That was more of a fun night than I had been expecting, I will admit. I'm looking through the recordings now. You did end up getting in a bit of trouble. I think you might have incurred some fines at the club." He chuckled. "I think we got through the night without any major trouble, though. I don't think any of us left after we came to my apartment, so there shouldn't be any more, uh, repercussions."</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 "Really? I hardly touched the sweaty little man." 595 pouted. "I will admit this place is fun, but everyone needs to lighten up a little. I wasn't expecting that much pressure to return home after one minor incident in the line of duty. How much is the fine?" The agent asked, scratching her neck and carefully treading a path through the half-consumed drinks on the floor around the couch. "Kalax darling, do you have food and clothing for me?" The Ambassador turned around from the hob. "Kedgeree and a tracksuit, my dear. Wallace sent over a change of clothes for all of us." Kalax himself was wearing his work clothes underneath a white chef's apron. He looked very fresh and handsome in an androgynous sort of way. 595 skittered over to the Ambassador's lanky form. He held out a spoon of seasoned rice, dusted with flakes of haddock and egg. "Is this cooked to your satisfaction?" 595 maneuvered her mouth around the spoon with an exaggerated "NOM" sound. She swallowed and grinned. "Delicious. Where are the clothes?" Kalax turned and pointed to a large box on the other side of the kitchen island with his spoon. "You may want to wash first, you smell." 595 skittered round to the box and opened it. "Food first, wash later." She replied. Back in one of the guest bedrooms, Freyr was blown away by this recent discovery. She'd sat up in bed, the duvet wrapped around her, a cup of water clutched in her hand. "So how did it happen?". Masgard glanced toward the door. "I think 595 was always going to hook up with someone last night. The pool of candidates just got a lot smaller when our outing was cut short." That response left questions in Freyr's mind, but she didn't get a chance to voice them before Kalax called over comms. "Brunch is ready! Don't let it get cold." Masgard levered himself off the bed. "Fresh clothes are here. Special delivery from Wallace." Freyr was starving, so she jumped out of bed straight after Masgard exited the room, threw on the light, comfortable short-sleeve overalls, and followed him.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta glanced at 595 and shrugged. "I don't know; I don't have access to your account. The fine's amount would be auto-calculated based your income, total assets, and extenuating circumstances surrounding the event. The fact that you were not arrested might imply that your victim did something to instigate as well." Vreta too was keen to get up and walked straight to the kitchen for a glass of water. He raised up his snout and sniffed the air above the dish that Kalex had prepared to identify the ingredients within. "Fish, grains, eggs, and what is that scent…ah, my search says you call it 'butter'. Definitely a Human dish. Where did you order the ingredients from? I imagine that, by this point, you have found the best option for authentic Human cuisine, Ambassador." Soon enough, Vreta's other guests joined them in the main room. He looked back over his shoulder and nodded in greeting to them. "Good morning Freyr, Masgard. I hope my guest rooms were comfortable to your standards. It seems Kalax has taken the liberty of cooking for us. I don't know what it is, but I am happy to try your cuisine." After a moment, Vreta gave another look to 595 beside him. "My shower is down that hall if you need it. Though for myself, I usually just bask in the pool outside. It can be heated like a hot tub, and the filtration system easily handles all contaminates. I find it a relaxing start to the day."</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 "Oh, well. Seeing as i don't have an income or any assets, the fines should be pretty low. I'm just a lowly warrior-servant, after all. I'm sure Kalax can pay my way." 595 winked at Vreta just as Kalax playfully flung a rice-flecked spoon at her from across the kitchen. She plucked it out of the air without looking, put it back down on the island and pulled a stylish baggy shirt and skirt combination out of the box. "I suppose this will have to do." 595 sighed, quickly changing into the outfit. "Only the best ingredients, Vreta'Sori. I have an account with the Rothia Trading Company import office; they deliver the finest ingredients to me by drone each day." The Ambassador deftly took the steaming pan of Kedgeree off the hob and onto a heat mat on the kitchen island as Freyr and Masgard entered. "Perfect timing! Come sit." Kalax said to the new arrivals. 595 briefly acknowledged them before looking at Vreta. "Alright, message received! I'll go and have a bath the moment i finish eating." She turned to study Freyr's dishevelled appearance. "By the looks of it, you could use a nice relaxing swim too. Interested?" Freyr nodded. "After brunch. I am famished." All of the humans nodded; the Sthrirad had evidently worked up a bit of an appetite for them.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta joined the Humans at the table for their breakfast. He was silent at first while he prodded quizzically at the meal Kalax had prepared. He took in its scent again in order to take stock of its ingredients and make sure he knew everything he would be eating. There were no two spacefaring species with perfectly compatible digestive systems, but digestive implants or specially-designed enzyme supplements could bridge those gaps and allow one to handle a wider variety of foods. Vreta's enhancements were equipped to produce enzymes to aid in digesting nearly anything edible, but it still never hurt to double-check. "I can't say I've experienced something quite like that before, even in all my time. Looking it up now, I'm seeing that Sthrirad is none other than the Tindrels' rather unique symbiote. I should have recognized the name. Though, if I had, I might not have partaken." Vreta said with a shrug. "It was a fun evening, though. I do somewhat regret cutting it short for us all. I was just doing what I thought was best for our well-being."</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 "Quite exhilarating, isn't it?" Kalax responded to Vreta, carefully shuffling the kedgeree into a shallow bowl and sliding it across the island to him. He then did the same thing for 595, Freyr, Masgard and then himself. "Wallace was an Ambassador on Tind for a long time before becoming Plenipotentiary. I'm told she spent a year hosting the Sthrirad, to learn about it. Don't worry about your Touch though, the Sthrirad can usually only stay in Human bodies for about six hours at a time, and Rothians about eight. She told me." Kalax beamed. "I had a great time right here, for what it's worth." Masgard offered, tucking into his bowl of kedgeree. "I still think we could've got away with sampling a little more Rothian nightlife. Even if it was to cheer Miss Morose up." 595 pouted. "Hey! I'm not morose. I'm also still struggling to remember much. Is that a good thing?" Freyr asked.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta laughed for a moment, though he still took his time to try this "kedgeree" before continuing. "I'm not sure that I would ever classify memory loss as a 'good' thing, myself." He said to Freyr. "If for no other reason than it is nice to remember the things you enjoy. From what I remember of the club, there were a lot of drinks and dancing to be had for all of us. I distinctly remember you joining in some kind of organized dance with a group of Tindrel, which is impressive considering you have half as many legs as would be needed for that." Vreta paused briefly again to have another few spoonfulls of the mixture Kalax had put together. He had little doubt that the dish tasted fundamentally different to him than it did to them. As omnivores, they had a taste for plant-based foods, where as the grains and some of the other ingredients were much more naturally bland to him. Fortunately, he did quite like both fish and eggs, and the butter added considerable flavor for him. "If you like, I could give you my recording of the evening, Freyr. I wasn't watching you the entire time at the club, but it might jog your memory. Although, I will admit I'm not too sure what you got up to after we came here. I lost track of you once I started mating with the Agent here. Maybe the others can help remind you as well?" Vreta remarked in a distinctly casual, matter-of-fact tone.</s>	<\|message\|>Agent 595 "Oh yeah, i remember that." Freyr confessed, shoving a big spoon full of kedgeree into her mouth. "I somehow knew all the moves to make, without anyone telling me." Kalax nodded furiously. "The Sthrirad is really just a few dozen collective intelligences; I'm told it can quickly share information between hosts. Which is why we all knew what everyone was saying, even though I can see only garbled implant comms from late that evening." Kalax surmised. Everyone in that kitchen made some kind of noise and nervous movement when Vreta said the word 'mating'. Kalax laughed, spraying kedgeree in front of him. Freyr and Masgard firmly clamped their lips together in an attempt to hold back laughter. Freyr studied the ceiling in a desperate effort to avoid catching anyone else's eye. 595 groaned and placed her face in her hands. "Vreta'Sori. Please NEVER say 'mating' anywhere near me again. We, I...blew off steam. We didn't mate. What're you laughing about?" She directed the last question at the rest of the group, eyeing each of them in turn. Masgard blew air through his nose; Freyr began shuddering in her seat, unable to contain it all. "I agree, the word is uncomfortable to Human ears. But - i find it...sweet. That you guys had fun together." Kalax said very diplomatically, quickly regaining his composure.</s>
<\|description\|>Agent 595 Species: Human Gender: Female Age: UNKNOWN Nationality: UNKNOWN Weapons and/or equipment: UNKNOWN Backstory: UNKNOWN</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 Freyr walked over to Marae's side from a nearby console to study the hologram. "Interesting. It's a different shape and size to the Cradle." She grabbed her AR glasses from where they hung around her neck and put them on. "Could be the same material profile. Hard to tell without a closer look. Have we detected any signals from it?" Freyr then turned and called to a short, barrel chested man in a white lab coat on the other side of the lab. "Apalkov, any luck gaining access with the harness?" There was a short pause; the members of Freyr's team with parts to play were all deep in concentration. "I think we're getting close! I just need to make some adjustments to the chemical mix." A murmur of excitement spread through the lab - Freyr just nodded, thoroughly in the zone. "Good, once you're confident, i'll go under and see if we can interface with it." "Definitely not. You're too valuable to this mission; I can't allow you to go under. We have no fucking idea what's in there." 595 sniped, moving so she stood right in Freyr's way. "What other options do we have? I'm not prepared to risk the lives of anyone else on this ship." Freyr retorted, more quietly. "Why don't I go? Let's face it, nobody cares if I live or die." 595 murmured, a sheepish smile on her face.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori As 595 and Freyr argued, Nirann's hologram soon appeared in front of them. "Sorry, but no one is doing anything with the object until we have the containment shield fully established. Rareth-Jharn's orders. Whatever we do decide on can wait another six or so hours. Anything you want done to the object before then will have to be ran by her. Just don't ask me to ask her; she scares me. And I'm all the way in Threria right now." Marae rolled her eyes with an impatient look towards Nirann before turning her attention to the Humans. "Unfortunately, my husband is right. We will have to be patient. We can still decide what we intend to do, though. I've read through all of the information you provided on your Cradle. Connecting one's mind to this object is a dangerous prospect, for anyone. We have no idea if the simulated environment within this object is something our minds could even survive. Or if this object even creates a simulated environment at all. I do agree that this object is most likely of the same technology as your Cradle, but we do not know its purpose." Marae turned and looked for a few moments in silence across the lab at the harness the Humans had brought. Any Rothian, herself included, would have preferred to use their own technology exclusively, but she could admit that it would be more time-efficient to use the already-built, well-tested harness from Outremer. "Can we investigate the nature of the simulation without sending anyone in? Presuming it is a simulation, of course. We could, perhaps, connect an artificial mind with a simple scouting program." She suggested.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang "Yes of course, how stupid of me." Freyr muttered. She'd been finding it hard to focus since the news of Dr Hou's sudden death. He had been one of her most trusted colleagues and advisors; she didn't understand how she'd neglected to notice he was unhappy. Her nights had already been fraught before this, now they were almost unbearable. Still, there was a lot riding on this expedition; Freyr wouldn't allow it to fail on her account. "We could try an AI. However it's proved a very unproductive, unethical, dangerous method in the past. They've always gone rogue and either disappeared into the Cradle or tried to destabilise us; going after the biosphere et cetera.. All their readouts go dead immediately upon making contact. From what we can gather, the Cradle is a little too good at manipulating other machine intelligences; that's why we had to go inside to set up shop ourselves. Freyr turned to look at the hologram of the new object again. "We can test out the other communications packages our teams have collaborated on too. Like you say, there's no guarantee it shares any similarities with the Cradle. I'm just going off what I know."</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Marae flicked her hand through the air and brought up another, scaled hologram of the Cradle on Outremer next to that of the newly-discovered object. She also reviewed some of the information the Humans had elected to release to them on the Cradle's simulation. "It is still worth trying, I would say. No offense intended, but the artificial intelligence I have created are centuries beyond your own. Their creativity and complexity can be indistinguishable from a living mind, to the point that the difference between them is merely…hardware. I am not suggesting we send in a complete AI, but I should be able to craft a program advanced enough to keep to its purpose." In an instant, Nirann's hologram flicked out of existence from in front of Freyr and reappeared next to Marae, with his hand on her shoulder. "Now, I think you're overthinking this. We don't need to send in the most advanced programs. In fact, I think we might try sending something very, very simple. We can send in the most basic, barebones program we can write that can still accomplish some the minimum level of scouting. We just give it some simple, hardcoded instructions and lock them down from being modified by any source, for any reason. It won't be the most capable construct, obviously, but it could still give us a basic idea of what the simulation is like. At least enough to know if it is safe to send in a person. And if it fails, then nothing of value has been lost." With a grin, Marae leaned in and nuzzled her snout up against Nirann's with closed eyes: a show of romantic affection similar to a hug or quick kiss. Being that he was appearing as a hologram, there was nothing for Marae to physically touch, yet it still seemed quite convincing that she was. Granted, even among Humans, the technology was readily-available for sub-dermal implants that could provide haptic feedback from holograms. After the brief exchange, she turned to Freyr once more. "I think he may be right. Simplicity might be the key here. Does your Cradle provide any resistance to uploading simple programs, or will we need to pack the program in a façade of a living mind, Dr. Lang?"</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 Freyr ran a hand through her hair to help her think; it was getting quite long. "Again, this thing could be completely different from the Cradle. But… the only real 'upload' we've managed would be Human consciousness using the harnesses. Pretty much everything else requires a link to be established from inside the environment first. It's definitely worth a try though. In fact, we have the latest iteration of our Hunter Gatherer program in stock. It was showing promising results in Cradle data translation trials." "Perhaps we should run both programs at the same time and see which one does best?" 595 offered, picking at her teeth with a tiny sliver of plastic. Freyr glared at her and snipped a message over privately. "What are you doing? It's not a foot race, Agent." 595 grinned, showing off pearly white gnashers. "Just trying to keep things interesting, Doctor." Freyr turned back to the Rothians. "Please excuse my bodyguard. She means well." 595 scoffed. "So i'm just a bodyguard now?" Freyr turned back to her. "Please, be quiet. I am running things here." "That's my girl! Now; say that to the Rothians." Freyr gritted her teeth. The Agent was really starting to wind her up today.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori While Marae did little to even acknowledge the Agent's behavior, just as most Rothians would have, Nirann, surprisingly, actually engaged with the comment. He chuckled as his hologram appeared in front of 595, towering over her. "Is it a contest I sense? Are we doing bets? If so, I'll put a thousand down on my program. There's not a programmer alive that can best me. You do have the advantage of hundreds of years of study on the Cradle environment and much more familiarity with its software architecture, but…I'm confident." Marae let out a sigh and rolled her eyes. "Nir, what did I say about your gambling problem?" Nirann turned his head back and pointed a finger towards Marae. "Hey, it's not gambling if there's a guaranteed profit. I'm telling you, those returns were staying steady at 52.38%, and the margin of error was only 0.43%. That is hardly a gamble." Marae rubbed her hand over her head, sighing once more. "Please do me a favor and don't encourage him. I make that mistake...far too often, as you can see." She said as she enlarged the hologram of the new object and centered it between them all. "Let's just focus on the task at hand. Once we are permitted to interact with the object, we can see if the hardware you use to access the Cradle can also access this device. If that works, we can try to send in our scouting programs. If that does not work, then we cannot make any decision that will potentially risk lives unilaterally. I do not know what authority you have been granted by your people, Dr. Lang, but any dangerous experiments will need to be run by Rareth'Jharn first for approval."</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 The moment the holographic Rothian mentioned a bet, Freyr communicated one again with the Agent via comms. "Do not take that bet, i am warning you! I will get the captain down here." 595 shot her a wry look and stood quietly while the two aliens bickered. "You love it." Freyr ignored her, instead smiling politely and sympathetically at Marae's exasperated aside. She knew how she felt. "That sounds like a good strategy. Ultimately, the safety of the Human science team is my responsibility. I know Captain Andersen is committed to the success of the mission, but I will consult her on the use of any military personnel and materiel. And of course, top of everyone's mind is the safety of Rothia. We are guests on your beautiful planet, after all. Any eventual course of action will be conducted with extreme caution." "Don't roll your eyes." Freyr sent immediately after, without looking. "I would NEVER!" Was the response. "If it came to it, have you got a team ready to go into a simulation?" Freyr asked Marae.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori "That would also be a question for Rareth." Marae answered. "Though, I would guess that she does. I do know that the first we send in will be soldiers to scout and secure a safe place for us to work." Nirann gave a quick glance over to the hologram of the octahedral object. "If this thing is a supercomputer like the Cradle, I definitely want to go in. I've never had the chance to learn about something so strange and alien that wasn't also frustratingly primitive. Even I have to admit that your administrative capabilities on Outremer are impressive with your use of the Cradle, and you don't even understand the thing fully. And considering that I'm in charge of the administration of Threria…well, you could see how that would interest me." "If we can confirm that it is safe, then maybe." Marae said, narrowing her eyes at Nirann before returning her attention to Freyr. "We will need one of your harnesses to modify to our needs. If there is a simulation, then Rareth wants to make sure she and her people can be properly armed, and I definitely want to be able to use our equipment. We could develop one of our own, but it would be faster to work off of yours as a base."</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang "Ah yes, so we're currently working on a solution for this." Freyr replied. "The standard harnesses we use to access the Cradle are not equipped to generate non-organic matter. They just give you an ID code, which is used to provide you with authorised gear milliseconds after you spawn in. In the early days, this was simply because we didn't know enough about the technology to pre-load assets. Now, this two-step process has been baked in as a failsafe to keep track of people and stop them bringing dangerous items in. Obviously the Skinner's Guild found a way around this, as they brought a bomb." Freyr explained, momentarily thinking back to that haunting camera footage of the would-be terrorists. "That gave me the inspiration to start building a pre-load packet system. A kind of executable file which means we can specify the gear we want to bring with us before actually logging in. This does assume the object uses all the same language as the Cradle, But the notation we found in Rothian DNA is cause for cautious optimism. We can send you the process for scanning the items you want to assign to each member of your team as soon as it's ready. Some members of my team are just finishing up the design."</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Marae nodded in response to Freyr. "What you describe does sound acceptable. However, there is one, non-negotiable condition. Any device that scans our technology must remain with us, and you must not be able to access data from it. There is no way I will be able to get approval for its use otherwise. No amount of cooperation is going to make the Rothian people any less protective over our technology's designs, no doubt as you expected." Almost as soon as Marae finished speaking, Nirann chimed in as well. "And if it would upset you to lose your scanning device or your harness, I can just scan yours and fabricate a new one for us. Or, you know, just pay you back or something. Maybe in cash, maybe a…gift card to Etisxa'Maan. Whatever works."</s>	<\|message\|>Agent 595 "That's quite alright. I think you'll be able to scan what you need using existing Rothian tech in the lab. We'll just send you a template of the file for you to fill for each member." Freyr explained. "I suspect we'll be fine with the amount of harnesses we currently have in stock, but thank you anyway, Nirann. If you'll excuse me, I need to check up on my team." She smiled politely and turned away. 595 peeled off with her. "I'll liaise with the captain and muster the troops; make sure we have all the gear we need for the expedition here on the ship." The agent updated. "Good idea, buzz me if you have questions." Freyr replied, cold as ice. 595 gave her a quizzical look, before they separated to go to their separate consoles.</s>
<\|description\|>Agent 595 Species: Human Gender: Female Age: UNKNOWN Nationality: UNKNOWN Weapons and/or equipment: UNKNOWN Backstory: UNKNOWN</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Marae followed Freyr to Dr. Diamini's side, though her mind was focused on the problem at hand. Nirann had some unique circumstances to contend with, but it was still possible that they might be able to send him in. Diamini was slow to awaken, as it did seem that she had to take some time to recover and get her bearings, so Marae did have a chance to reply. "Nirann can't move here himself. His AI core is locked pretty firmly in place." Nirann's hologram appeared on the other side of the harness. "Do I really need to be there in person, though? Maybe I can puppet an artificial mind, like one we uploaded? Just one more…directly connected to me." --- Seeing that the transit station was up and working was encouraging to Rareth, though that did not take her focus from the crowd of villagers spreading out at the bottom of the ridge beneath them. "We have the transit station working. It shouldn't be long before our experts join us. Still…I should acknowledge them. At least give them some indication of our intent." Rareth moved over to the edge of the ridge, though unlike Athena, she stood clearly silhouetted at the top. She had retracted her helmet so that her head and face were clearly visible and identifiably Rothian.She hoped that their eyesight was strong enough to see her at their current distance, as she wanted to show them she was something familiar, even if she was a giant of a Rothian. She placed her fusion cannon on its magnetic holster on her back, held out her hands open-palmed for a moment, then bowed her head and crossed her arms tightly over her chest. Among Rothians, it was a distinctly non-threatening position, as it was not a position from which one could use their claws quickly. Even if these villagers were not truly Rothian, she hoped they would still recognize the more instinctual Rothian body language.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang "Senty Dlamini, can you hear me?" Freyr asked loudly, opening the girl's eyelids. Her pupils were almost completely dilated. "Can I have a medic in here now please!" Freyr shouted. Dr Dlamini moaned suddenly, struggling within the harness. Freyr quickly worked to unplug the junior researcher from the device, and helped her sit up. "Senty, do you know where you are?" The girl didn't acknowledge her, instead abruptly slumping to one side. Freyr managed to catch her before she hit her head on the floor, awkwardly holding her up. "Medic!" Freyr yelled. One of the Barbarossa's doctors sprinted over with a satchel in hand. Together they maneuvered Dr Dlamini back onto the harness table. "You're alright." Freyr soothed. "I'm not sure that's a good idea." She shook her head once the medic had taken over. "These objects are much more adept at controlling artificial systems than organic ones. We don't want to give it open-ended access to your mind, especially at this early stage. We could lose you in there. In fact, I have half a mind to scrub this mission altogether until we can adjust our equipment. Although we'll need to run diagnostics on my colleague first before we can even consider pulling everyone out." --- "That's done it. They're coming up here now." Athena confirmed. Her feed showed a few of the shapes had broken ranks and were making their way up the slope toward the ridge. "Looks like they may be heading for level ground before approaching us." More of the group were following behind the first figures, while some stayed behind at the village limits. "I count...maybe one hundred?" Athena offered helpfully. The sound of an alien chattering registered on the group's sensory net for the first time as they drew closer. "Sacred band, shield wall. Keep your weapons down." Thebes ordered, before pointing at Dr Wetherall and Dr Ngata, who were desperately trying to fix the comms mast. "You two, go in the transit station shield and stay there. Be ready to jump out on my signal." The Sacred Band jogged over and formed a loose line between the array of equipment and the approaching mass of heat shapes. That included Athena, who detached the scope from her rifle to continue tracking the life forms. 595 shrewdly arranged herself behind the shield wall.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Nirann shrugged his shoulders as he eyed one of the harnesses. "I mean, that may be true for your AIs, but I think I'm a cut or two…hundred above them." Marae once again rolled her eyes, but picked up in a more serious tone. "My husband does have a point. I mentioned that our AIs could be indistinguishable from a Rothian mind, and that is Nirann, quite literally. I designed his series of AI to perfectly replicate the neural network of a Rothian brain. If you were to scan his neural pathways, you would not be able to tell them apart from a natural mind." "The way she build up service layers outside my core mind to expand my capabilities was a real stroke of genius, but…I can't get into that. The point is, I think my mind should work with the harness." Nirann remarked. "It's not like the simulation is interacting directly with the brain. Your brain interacts with the harness, which interacts with the simulation. There's a layer in between the object and your squishy, fleshy bits. The simulation should see my mind just the same as any Rothian." While she did agree with NIrann on the point he was making, she spoke more softly, and less optimistically when she interjected again. "I'm more concerned about the safety of anyone entering at all. Is she alright? I am going to assume that is not normal for exiting your Cradle." She said, pointing to Dr. Diamini. --- "Just stay back near the transit station and watch the other approaches. I'll meet with them and try to see if we can communicate at all." Rareth instructed to the Humans. The numbers that these villagers had might have seemed daunting, but at the same time, they were riding animal mounts and did not show signs of technology even close to that of modern Rothians. Or even Humans, for that matter. Though, in any case, she did not intend to let down her guard. Surprises could come from anyone. Rareth stepped forward partially down the hill, presenting herself as the envoy for their group to meet them halfway. She supposed such customs might not have been entirely universal among early Rothian groups, but these villagers might still do the same. She kept herself in a non-threatening posture and spoke out to them once they were close enough to hear. "Greetings, my name is Rareth'Jharn. I come to you peacefully." She said aloud. She did not actually expect any of them to be able to understand a word she said, but she figured she might as well try.</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 Freyr sighed. "Alright! Lets try it. Just be sure to isolate the fragment you send in. We can check for signs of corruption when it's downloaded back from the simulation. With any luck, you'll be able to circumvent some of the issues us organics are having on exit." She looked worriedly down at Dr Dlamini, who was being scanned for brain function and given fluids by the medic. "No, it's not normal. Nirann if you're set on going in, i will stay here and to work the problem from this end. Look for deviations in notation that could be causing these malfunctions. Until we can figure this out, no one else comes back out. I'll send in my systems engineer to help you, but holistic research will have to wait for now. --- The aliens stopped in their tracks when Rareth began approaching; Some of them even retreated slightly. When she spoke, they all fell silent as one before looking curiously at her and among themselves. And then, they began chattering again, conspiratorially pointing and shaking the objects they held in their hands. Some of the creatures near the front pushed and jostled each other in some kind of heated debate before three of them edged forward. These envoys began talking at her in their own tongue, slowly and carefully. They were all studying Rareth in great detail, moving forward sideways on, so they could dash away at a moment's notice. The lead creature beckoned at Rareth specifically, and then at the armoured figures behind her. "Lots of potential weapons." Knossos grunted over comms. "Hold position, eyes on a swivel." Thebes ordered. Ignoring half of that directive, 595 peeled off and walked slightly back toward the transit station, checking all around them for anyone sneaking up on their position. Everything seemed clear, for now." She gave a thumbs up to the two scientists watching from inside the shield bubble.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori While Nirann seemed willing to try his hand at entering the simulation, Marae did not seem nearly so enthused at the idea. She reached out and grabbed at Nirann's wrist. Her hand passed partially through his, but he did still seem to be able to "feel" the touch. "Now hold on. You know I don't approve when you do this." Turning to face her, Nirann gently took both of her hands in his and stepped in closer to her. "I know, my dear. We've had this discussion-" "-argument…" Marae snapped. "Argument…many times before. I know you made my mind to be as Rothian as it possibly could be, but you also gave me far more capabilities beyond that, even ones you didn't intend. Nothing dies when I reunite with a fragment. We just…become one." He said softly. Marae's eyes narrowed. "That is very debatable, Nir. And what if a copy of you dies every time you do this? I can't handle the thought of that." Nirann was silent for a moment as he leaned in closer to her. He lifted a hand up to her cheek and encouraged her to lower her head, then pressed his forehead against hers. "You know I would never do anything that I believed would hurt you. I'm only doing this because I genuinely believe it." A slight smile crept across Marae's expression. "I never said you didn't believe it…I just think you're the smartest idiot I've ever met." Nirann laughed along with her. "I know, but I have a plan." He said, finally pulling away from Marae and giving a quick look over to Freyr. "Here's what we'll do. Right about now, I'm having one of the ship's security droids cart in the strongest Rothian computer I can get a hold of on the ship. Now, it's no Core, but a Rothian computer still has far more processing power than the average organic brain. I'll download a copy of my central neural network onto the computer. You can have your technician stay here in the real world; until we get that transit station set up, it's just not safe to send any of you organic people in. Just download all of the schematics, technical manuals, any data you can think of even tangentially related to the transit stations into that computer. I'll organize it all into an abstract service layer; think of it as a…brain outside my brain, but still in my head. It allows my to gain access to functions a normal Rothian mind would not have, without making any changes to my core mind. Long story short, if you give me all the information you have on the transit station, and anything that might possibly be affecting it, I should be able to fix it myself. Before I go in, I'll perform a detailed scan of the copy's mind. The only changes that should occur are in the mind's memory center, so when my copy does come back, we'll separate out and quarantine the memories, then I'll meld back with my copy only if the rest of the neural network is identical to when we sent it in." Nirann glanced back and forth between Freyr and Marae. "Does that make everyone happy?" --- Rareth's eyes glanced around at the villagers surrounding her. As expected, her translator could not identify any of the words being spoken around her, which likely meant they could not understand her either. She went ahead and had her neural implant start examining their words and try to begin the translation process, though that was not a task that could be done in a short time. For the moment, she spoke back to the Humans watching over her. "Plenty of weapons, yes, but they are crossbows, spears, and farming tools. They're primitives. If I harden my shields, they wouldn't be able to scratch them, much less my armor. If I am attacked, I will just return back to the transit station, and we can leave without bloodshed." Seeing as none of the villagers had tried anything violent so far, Rareth opted to try and start establishing some degree of a rapport with them. The first, and simplest step towards that was exchanging names. Even without speaking the same language, that was something she felt they could accomplish. She kept in a passive position and did not make any sudden moves, but looking specifically at one of the envoys, she pointed to herself and said "Rareth'Jharn." She repeated the same words, and the same motion several times to try and get the point across.</s>	<\|message\|>Agent 595 Despite her concern, Freyr was actually very interested in seeing how this gambit panned out. Rothian AI technology was obviously very advanced, and she was the first to admit there was a learning opportunity here. "It doesn't make me happy...but your plan could work. And it's the best we have so far." Freyr admitted. "Strap in. I'll get you the schematics." --- The envoys tilted their heads and listened to what Rareth was saying. They chatted together, and then tried to replicate the words she kept repeating. "RAHJAH". The slightly more cautious villagers soon followed suit, until the entire group were chanting the two syllables. Some of the envoys crept closer, arms stretched out as if to touch Rareth's armour. "Sorry to interrupt, but we have an insert queued from base. One Nirann, it seems. Want me to bring them in?" 595, who was acting as the floating resource within the fighting group, came over. She figured Rareth was slightly indisposed. "I'm surprised they haven't sent more. That could mean they're having issues too. I think we have things under control here, bring them through."</s>
<\|description\|>Agent 595 Species: Human Gender: Female Age: UNKNOWN Nationality: UNKNOWN Weapons and/or equipment: UNKNOWN Backstory: UNKNOWN</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Despite the discussion and debate among the others, Rareth had made her determination pretty much right away. She did not hesitate to speak up right after Thebes. "We cannot know for sure where that cavern leads, or if there even are any other exits that a person can fit through. But more importantly, it is too dangerous. We have already seen that life in this place can be titanic; easily capable of collapsing a cave right on top of us." Rareth moved over to the edge of the ridge and looked down into the valley. The visibility down into the valley was not exceptional, but it was still much easier to see the path ahead than it would be in a cave. "If we encounter difficult terrain, I can move ahead of the group and try to quickly scout our best path forward." Nirann sighed, followed by a chuckle. "At this point, I'm wishing we could have just rode there on the back of that worm."</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 "There may be something even worse down in that valley! And besides, even without Carthage's armaments, we have enough munitions between us to blast through any tight spaces." 595 countered, exasperated. She glared out across the valley; patches of water glimmered in the very faint light. "Look at it, the whole valley is sodden. If we go down there, it'll take hours to go the long way around this mountain. At that rate, we'll need to make a camp out in the middle of nowhere. Is that really what we want?" 595 surveyed the waiting group. She knew that if ordered to, the Sacred Band would follow her into the jaws of hell. Most were surveying the area through their weapon scopes to avoid looking at her. Athena was even laying on the floor with her sniper rifle fully deployed to scout the valley. It was the Rothians and Human scientists she needed to convince. "If we set up camp, Nirann and I could try to fully reconcile the code base and bring in reinforcements, so to speak?" Dr Wetherall offered nervously." 595 snapped right back. "True. But who knows what kind of attention that'll attract? We could be spawning them right into a trap." "Our mission is to bring everyone back alive, ma'am. Our close quarters element is without a suit. The Sacred Band are conditioned for long nights; we can keep watch. If we can get this transit station online, there is always the option of pulling out too." Thebes advised, assuming a non-threatening stance. 595 breathed in deeply, trying to control the onslaught of borrowed feelings. It wasn't hard to feel like the group was ganging up on her.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori "Regardless of the ordinance we have available, there are no guarantees it would be faster. And we may accidentally collapse it ourselves with the explosives. If the cave does not end up bringing us close enough to the other side, it may be slower to blast through it than to just go around. With the information we have, staying outside is our best choice." Rareth reasoned. This time, it was actually Nirann that spoke up with an objection. "Well…we could go about it in a way that would make sure we don't collapse it ourselves, at least. I know the echolocation hardware you Datius have is top-notch. If you're pinging the surroundings while we're going through, not only could you map out the cave system, but I could analyze that data to get a pretty good picture of the structural integrity of any part of the cave. That is something we could work with." Surprisingly, there was something of a long delay from Rareth as she weighed the pros and cons of each option. One path would certainly be safter than the other, but they were in a hurry. If it was just herself and the other soldiers, the choice would be clear, but they had the civilians and their equipment to worry about, and all of it was essential. "I can scout ahead myself." Rareth finally continued. "I can move far more quickly alone than we can together. I can go into the caves and seek out an exit on the other side, mapping the cave system as I go. Based on the size of this mountain, it should not take me long to get through, unless the caves are particularly difficult to traverse. And if that is the case, we certainly should not use them. Whether I find a path or not, I can be back within an hour. You can use that time to rest, recover, and continue your work."</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 "Good plan! I'll go with you." 595 asserted firmly, looking between Nirann and Rareth. "You might need some backup, if you're right and some hideous creature lives in there." She quickly turned to point at Thebes, who was still attending her. "Have one of the Sacred Band scout the mountain path down into the valley; no longer than an hour though. We may need to move fast if we find something inside this cave." Thebes nodded, before turning himself to elect someone to go.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Rareth turned and looked down at the agent skeptically. "Do you have comparable capabilities to these soldiers? I would be fastest alone. One of your Sacred Band may not slow me down too much, but you…you lack their augmentations, do you not? Unless there is something you are hiding about yourself, I would be delayed too much by taking you with me." Though her words might have been harsh, Rareth was intending to make use of her full capabilities. She would not be holding back as she had been to allow the others to keep pace, so any help would need to be able to keep up with her.</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 595 grimaced behind her visor; she'd need to be very careful about giving away too much on this expedition. The Rothians were doubtless building a profile on her, as she was with them - the less detail they had the better. 595 had already used up a lot of political capital at the Institute after that stunt in Boycott Park. If they learned she'd given up state secrets to the Rothians as well, she was as good as finished. A large part of her wanted to take this opportunity to concede and let one of the Sacred Band go instead. But her pride and urge to feed just about stopped her. "We may have different toys, but i can hold my own." 595 replied to Rareth. She then looked at the Human scientists and Nirann. "See if you can get the mast working at the very least. We could really use intel from our teams in the real world. Keep an eye out and stay on comms, we'll be back within an hour." She turned back to Rareth. "Lead the way, I'll bring up the rear."</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Rareth approached the Agent, looking down onto her with a stern expression. "I intend to finish this quickly, and I will not wait on you. I trust that you will be able to map the cave system as we move through? If you fall behind, return to the camp and wait for me. Otherwise, follow my path and keep watch for any dangers." With that, Rareth waited no longer. The rest of the Human soldiers were setting up their camp's defenses, while the scientists were finally able to rest their feet. Even if nothing else was accomplished here, this break would help the civilians to keep up their pace once they started to move again. Rareth followed along the edge of the river, into the entrance to the cavern, and just as she promised, she was moving quickly. In such tight quarters, it was not as if she could move as fast as her body was capable, but she had still not been lying about the fact that her pace would be difficult to keep. They did not have to go too deep for the ambient light from the outside to fade. She could illuminate their path with lights built into her suit, though even in complete darkness, she would have had no trouble navigating. Her echolocation implant was even more effective within the cavern than it was outdoors. The pulses of sound traveled far down the cave ahead, tracing out all the potential paths ahead long before she could see them. She could decide ahead of time which way she wanted to go, without stopping or slowing her pace at any point.</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 "Not as readily as you. But i can follow your IFF just fine." 595 lied, unholstering her pistol and holding it in her right hand, finger off the trigger. She set off at a sprint after Rareth, taking a dose of stimulant immediately via her suit. It infused her with so much energy that it'd be harder to stop running than carrying on. Her vision adjusted to the complete blackness almost immediately, before partially refocusing when Rareth activated her suit lights. 595 peeled back her visor and sniffed the air; the cavern smelled damp, with hints of vegetation and other organic matter. The river flowed through the middle of the cavern, while rocks protruded into the narrow path on either side. 595 vaulted over a few formations in quick succession, using her free hand as the lynchpin to acrobatically clear obstacles without losing speed. She kept a close eye on Rareth's back and tail, wiggling in front of her, while also surveying the area with her equipment and senses. "So... that was a pretty impressive maneuver you pulled in the lake with that creature. Are all Datius units equipped like that?" 595 sent in a private comms channel with Rareth.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Rareth was mostly ignoring her eyes, instead focusing on the map she was creating as they went of the path ahead of them. They had not yet come to any divergence in the path, but if they did, she might slow down somewhat to give her sensors a chance to map them as well; at least as far down them as the echoes would be discernible. "A Datius is as equipped as they need to be for their task, but it is not our technology that makes us." Rareth replied. "A Datius is the…apex, excepting only for the Rahn'Saki. Not all of us are soldiers, but we are all the most capable in what we do. I will merely say this: there is a reason the Rothian special forces team assigned to this mission consists solely of myself."</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 595 smiled, ducking under a stalactite and swerving round a stalagmite in quick succession. So there was a common ground between the two of them after all. "Neat. Is there a Datius for every field, then?" Suddenly, the agent's sensory net detected a fork in the path ahead, going up and off to the right. Imagining it from the outside, 595 guessed it headed toward the next mountain along in the chain. Their current path continued going straight forward. As they approached the convergence, 595 slowed her sprint down to a jog, before stopping altogether in the centre of the fork. She could see now that the stream came from the sharper incline on the right, cascading down both of the other paths. "If straight-on is going downwards now, I think we have less chance of being deposited on the top of a mountain heading that way." 595 surmised. After a few moments, an alien chittering echoed through the cavern, marginally louder than the tinkling of water. Finally! 595 drew her pistol and checked her sensory net again. Another ping revealed moving objects on the right path. "Did you hear that? I think it came from this way. We'll need to check that out; can't have any critters cutting us off." she sent, eagerly moving toward the opening.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori "Hold right there." Rareth ordered as soon as the Agent started to move off along the side passage. "If you are going to help me, you must move behind me, not ahead. It is necessary for us to scout these caves for danger, but we are not here to exterminate every pest that might live here. Follow behind me, and we will see what is living here, but do not simply shoot on sight. If these are simple animals, they may simply flee when they see us. If they attack, I will kill them." Regardless of what 595 might have thought about Rareth taking the lead, it was not as if there would be much hope of overtaking her once she did get moving. There was no feasible way of moving their entire group through the caves stealthily, with all of their equipment, when the tight passages would carry the echoes of every single footstep far and wide. Since they would not have the option of stealth later, Rareth made no attempt to hide now. If something was going to attack, she wanted it to attack her, without the civilians present. Ideally, whatever creatures they encountered would either flee on sight, or they would be able to scare them off. If not, she would need to assess how much of a threat they posed.</s>	<\|message\|>Agent 595 "Hey, you don't automatically get to take point like that!" 595 called out loud as Rareth ran past her, before giving chase. "Everything alright in there?" Thebes crackled feebly over comms. "Yeah, all good. We're checking out some noises." 595 quickly replied before Rareth got a chance to. "Want some assistance?" He asked. "No, we're fine for now. Maintain your perimeter." She snapped. They moved quickly uphill through a gradually tightening passageway. Before long, 595's sensory net described a series of large circular hollows off of the main path. The chittering grew louder and louder, and the smell emulsified into a pungent, wet, rotting tsunami that forced the agent to close her visor again. The moving objects were close now, all around really, and moving in random patterns. Until they weren't. Almost simultaneously, most of the motion blips stopped. So did the incessant chittering. 595 instinctively slowed her pace just behind and to one side of Rareth, and moved her pistol into centre axis relock. They took a few steps forward. The agent wet her dry throat. Her suit pinged movement on the ceiling of the cavern, 595 marked it. It looked like a flat insect head with some pincers. It peeked from an opening that may have connected this area to one of the spherical hollows. The creature carefully lowered it's armoured body and many legs down onto the ground, before shuffling toward them, staying low to the rock. A couple more of them appeared from opening in the sides of the space behind it. The chittering and movement started again, deafening and on all sides. Each of the creature's tails lit up, casting long shadows in the confined space.</s>
<\|description\|>Agent 595 Species: Human Gender: Female Age: UNKNOWN Nationality: UNKNOWN Weapons and/or equipment: UNKNOWN Backstory: UNKNOWN</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Rareth dropped the last of the insects to the ground with a hole clean through the center of its head. The kinetic impact of a particle cannon was more immediately effective than the more diffuse cloud of plasma. Though, she supposed more concentrated heat sources would still burn through the stone shell quickly. In any case, she kept her particle cannon deployed as she turned her attention to scanning her surroundings. Whatever happened to the Agent, Rareth needed to act quickly. She still hoped to find her somewhere, even if that seemed unlikely. She had disappeared in a sudden, impossible manner, and Rareth's sensor recordings were not giving any hints she could identify at the moment. There was noise from farther down the cave, in the direction the pair had been heading before the ambush. Despite all that Rareth now had to be concerned about, she still had to make herself focus. Whether she found 595 or not, she would still need to scout the route through the mountain. The noises Rareth heard were a kind of chittering that sounded like it originated from the insects. She would have preferred not to have to interact with them further, but the path through the mountain required it, Rareth would have to deal with them. It was not a far walk to reach the next chamber, and there was a lot for her to take in when she arrived. It was a fairly tall, wide chamber with more than a few smaller, paler version of the same insects that had ambushed her, along with a few larger creatures in-sight. Interestingly, there were also many unnatural-looking stone structures embedded into the walls and floor. They appeared as small, elongated domes made of rock, and were certainly not normal features in caves. However, what drew her primary focus was the Human shape she spotted laying at the center of the chamber. Rareth naturally recognized her right away, but of course, there was no explanation for how she got here and why she looked to be asleep, or otherwise unconscious. The Agent started to stir as Rareth walked forward. She intended to bring the Human back to their camp to recover regardless of what objections she tried to raise. This was all terribly unusual, and Rareth did not like any part of it. She had seemingly disappeared from reality in a blinding flash of light, only to suddenly be found again a short distance away, unconscious and without her IFF tag transmitting. Rareth felt she had plenty of reason to doubt, but for now, she would just deal with the problems in front of her. She was not directly hostile towards the creatures, but if either herself or 595 were threatened, she would fight as many as was necessary to leave.</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 595 propped herself up with one arm as her suit powered back on. She looked woozily around her as items appeared back in her HUD one by one. This must have been where they birthed new centipede things. There were different sizes of creatures here, from tiny handfuls to adults about half the size of the monsters that'd attacked them. They all kept their distance, writhing over one another as far from her prone form as they could. It didn't seem like they had any fight left in them. The Agent got clumsily to her feet as Rareth came and towered over her. "What happened? Did you get them?" She brushed past the Datius, back out into passage and over to where the centipede corpses lay dead. She picked up her pistol from the ground and inspected it for damage, before clocking the heap of black ash on the floor. She recognised what it was immediately, but didn't remember creating it, which was unusual. She noted that her urges were sated, at least right now. She must have been knocked out right after feeding. 595 turned to the Datius, who had followed her out. She wondered what the Rothian had seen. "Well? Did you see what happened?"</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Rareth kept aware of the movements around her, but she was happy to keep her distance from the insects as well. As long as they allowed herself and the Agent to pass, they would not come to harm. As for the Agent herself, Rareth did not have enough information to so much as guess at what had transpired. She archived everything her sensors had recorded about the event, but she was not certain how much they would learn from it. On approach, Rareth looked over 595 closely for any signs of injury. Her suit did not seem to be damaged, though if there were any internal injuries, they would require a more detailed examination to detect. "Whatever happened occurred quickly. And whatever happened was nothing possible in our reality. Something killed the insect you were fighting by disintegrating it into dust, then you disappeared in a flash of light and reappeared here. We are not far from where we were, but still, you did not move here yourself. We need to move quickly; I want us to leave this simulation as soon as we can. It does not necessarily have to conform to the rules of our reality, clearly. Let us go back to the camp. The team's medic can examine you, while I finish scouting these caves."</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 595 regarded Rareth silently for a moment, her expression grim. "No need." She replied finally. "I'm perfectly healthy. We'll scout the place together." She looked around at the various openings to hollows nearby. None of the centipedes had followed them back out. "I think we've neutralised the threats here. Let's return to the fork and investigate the main path." 595 turned to leave just as a wave of dizziness crashed into her like a speeding bullet. She stumbled through the pile of ash and put a hand on one of the cavern walls to support her. Nausea punched the Agent in the stomach, doubling her over. She peeled back her visor and ejected a small amount of bile onto the floor. Keeping her back to the Datius, 595 straightened up slightly and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. She tasted metal. Putting her visor back in place, she reversed the field to get a view of herself. Blood dripped slowly from one of her nostrils, which she'd now smeared across her face. She was feeling a bit better after being sick though, so she straightened up and turned back to Rareth. "I'm fine, really! Just felt a bit nauseous is all." She insisted. "Agent, Datius - come in." Thebes crackled over comms. 595 jumped on it, surveying their surroundings. "Yes?" "Ma'am. We've made contact with the outside." Thebes crackled over comms. "They want to speak with both of you." 595 looked back at Rareth. "Can you patch them through to our suits?" There was a short delay, presumably so Thebes could ask. "Negative. They need to work on all our suits." 595 huffed. "Ok, we'll be there shortly. How is the transit station?" "They're still tinkering with it, ma'am." 595 kissed her teeth. "Copy that. Maintain your position." She signed off, thinking of how best to proceed. "Do you want to scout the other path, while I make my way back? I'll deal with whoever wants to talk to me before you get back, freeing up the line."</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori The Agent would not have been able to see it under Rareth's helmet, but she was giving 595 a rather judgmental glare as she looked down upon her. She glanced back towards the entrance to the chamber for a moment and reviewed the map of the cave network she had made thusfar. "As I said, I will continue scouting and find a way through the mountain. Thebes is perfectly qualified to talk with the others. You need to return to the camp and allow the medic to see you. You are not healthy, and don't insult my intelligent by trying to pretend that you are. Anything could have happened to you when you were transported to this room." Rareth paused for just a moment in thought. "Do you remember anything of what happened to you? If so, you need to make sure it is recorded in a report. Anything could be important. But do it back at camp; we should move in case these insects decide to stop tolerating us."</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 595 knew Thebes was qualified to handle reporting back. But she suspected someone in the real world had a very specific set of questions for her alone. That was the only reason she could think of for them to request her on comms. "Alright, fine! I'll get myself checked out." She sighed, setting off back down the path they'd come when Rareth asked if she remembered anything. "Not really. I remember getting on one's back and piercing under the plate at the back of its head. The next thing I remember is waking up in that hollow." She answered as they walked back to the fork together. "Good luck. I'll see you back at camp soon." 595 said her farewell to Rareth before following the stream back out of the cave system the same way they'd come. She didn't sprint as before, but jogged and thought about what had happened. After a little while, 595 emerged from the pitch-black cavern onto the ridge overlooking the swampy valley. She could see her team's silhouettes and IFF tags dotted around comms mast and half-constructed transit station. Saddam greeted her with a thumbs up that she returned. "Welcome back." Thebes held up an interface cable attached to the comms mast as the Agent jogged over. "Private line to the Captain." 595 took the lead from the soldier. "Thank you." She looked over at Knossos, the medic. "Can you check my vitals please?" The olive-colored operator wordlessly gave up their position on the perimeter to jog over. The Agent plugged the interface cable into her left arm just next to her wrist interface. Knossos plugged another cord into her suit's diagnostics port at the back soon after. 595 accepted the call, standing still to let Knossos do his job. "Go." She answered. After a short pause, the reply crackled through. "I'm glad you're still alive, Agent. I won't keep you long as Dr Lang wants to keep things moving." Andersen spoke quickly. "Your...colleagues on Outremer have asked if what you've found changes their plans at all?" 595 smirked; she'd guessed correctly. "You can tell them to proceed as planned. I will have more information tomorrow."</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Once the pair separated at the fork, Rareth picked up her pace heading deeper into the cave. In truth, she was not completely certain about the idea of even separating from the Agent for the short time it would take her to get back to camp, as it did feel like a risk not to supervise her. However, enough time had been wasted already, and Rareth needed to find if there was a way through the caves quickly. Granted, now that they had made contact with the outside, they would not be in quite as much of a rush. They would not longer be in danger of being pulled out of the simulation early as those on the outside became more concerned. On her own, Rareth could move more quickly through the network of caves, though perhaps not by too much. The Agent had kept up adequately, but Rareth truly had no reason to hold back once she only had herself to worry about. She mapped the cave as she went along and, for the most part, was able to choose the correct path ahead of time thanks to her echolocating ability. Her best option was to follow the stream as much as possible. If it had carved out the cave, then it would be the most likely path out to the other side. Rareth only slowed down when she encountered more of the stone-shelled insects. Although, this time, the encounter did not turn to violence. It occurred in a large enough chamber that she was able to skirt around the side near the wall to keep distance, while the insects seemed intent on doing the same. They were carrying back something with them, perhaps some prey, but while they did hiss and posture upon spotting her, they did not rush her like last time. Rareth was not sure what exactly caused the difference in response, but it was not her concern to figure out the particulars of the creatures' behavior. All she needed to do was to make sure they could get past them unharmed. Eventually, Rareth did find the light at the end of the tunnel. Literally, in this case. The stream flowed out of the far side of the mountain into another waterfall overlooking an expansive valley. The beacon in the distance still illuminated the area and provided some clue of how much farther they needed to go. She did expect that there could be some difficulty climbing down this side of the mountain, but it was not an unreasonable path, and it would still be much quicker than trying to go around. She saw evidence of nests nearby on the cliffs, but hopefully whatever created them would not prove to be a hindrance. In any case, Rareth did not linger long. Once she confirmed the path through the mountain, she turned back right away to return straight to camp and make her report.</s>	<\|message\|>Agent 595 "Understood. What is your risk assessment of this place? Knowing what you know." Andersen asked. 595 licked blood from her lips. "It's pretty risky. But we need more experts here to figure out what's going on. They'll be solidly protected; this 'Datius' is formidable and surprisingly altruistic." A wave of what could only be described as static washed over the line, followed by a short tone. 595 lost the Captain for a few seconds. "-to Doctor Wetherall." "Copy that." 595 guessed, unplugging the interface cable from her wrist. "Hey doc!" She called over regular short-range comms, standing still as she was well aware Knossos was connected to her. Dr Wetherall looked around at her from a jumble of wires protruding from the side of the transit station. "Bring it over here, please." He replied distractedly, lost in thought. "Oh for fuck's sake. Thebes, would you mind?" 595 asked, wiggling the loose cable in her hand. The team leader plucked it from her and carefully wound the cable over to the huddle of scientists and droids. 595 turned slightly so she could watch Knossos tap away at a holopad. "Well? Everything ok?" She asked privately after a little while." The soldier's tinted green visor looked down at her. "What are you, lady?" 595's jaw tightened. "Am I combat effective, yes or no?" Knossos checked the readout one more time, then nodded slowly. "You need fluids, but otherwise you're good to go." "Good. Delete that and pass me some tissues with my fluids. I got a nose bleed."</s>
<\|description\|>Agent 595 Species: Human Gender: Female Age: UNKNOWN Nationality: UNKNOWN Weapons and/or equipment: UNKNOWN Backstory: UNKNOWN</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 "What?" Saddam spluttered as the team received those coordinates. "Have you lost your damn mind?" Thebes wasn't so sure. He was mindful of the advanced tech the Datius had showcased throughout this expedition. She had proved a very resourceful asset in a variety of combat scenarios, but it still took the Sacred Band leader a half-second to commit to a strategy which seemed so crazy. "CoWiUnCo." Thebes barked when Rareth fired some kind of bright light, awkwardly hefting his gun above the claws grasping his chest and aiming at the point set in front of them. The four syllable shorthand wasn't strictly speaking accepted terminology, but he knew all of the soldiers under his command would understand it as "Comply With Unorthodox Commands". The team reacted immediately, as did 595 who had regained some conscious control and was vaguely following the plan. Energy bursts, a tungsten bolt and one solid laser beam disappeared into the hole created by the bright flash, and they carried on firing until it shut again. The fliers bucked and rolled, thoroughly spooked by all the action, but still on course. There was no immediate sound from the predator above them, until it's carcass crashed into one of the cargo bots trailing their convoy at a couple of hundred miles per hour. The package of robot and dead flesh thundered down to the plains below, and exploded in a huge fireball.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori From what she could see through the linked cameras, Rareth's plan had worked perfectly. Their shots passed through the wormhole and cut straight through the creature above them. Regardless of its size, it was not as if it was armored to deal with high-powered weaponry. However, they were not fortunate enough for it to simply die alone in silence. It was only moments after its death that it came crashing down below, and took one of their cargo droids with it. "Nirann, report! What did we lose?" Rareth asked right away. Nirann hummed a moment and spoke in a tone as if he was grimacing along with it. "That was bot two, so…that was the transit station. Do I have permission to panic yet, or…" "Permission denied." Rareth retorted immediately. "As long as we have the comms mast, we can get another transit station. Just focus on here and now. Any other contacts? More threats?" Nirann again checked the cameras of the cargo bots, along with his own body's sensors. There were more living things in view, especially below, but nothing that seemed like it had an interest in them. "Uh, nothing that I can see. Yet." Rareth wasted no time, and made sure to keep the Nirann on-track. "Then keep working. When we do get a new transit station, you will need to make sure we can return through it."</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 "Well, it worked…" Carthage scoffed, craning her neck to survey the wreckage behind and below them. "Let's hope we don't need to leave in a hurry." Dr Ngata murmured, looking straight ahead at the beacon. Thebes couldn't help but think that amounted to quite an expensive maneuver, but needed to keep morale from dropping off a cliff. "We'll make it work." He asserted gruffly. "Everyone get ready, we're close." They approached a cluster of mountains that they could see from the air formed a loose 'X' shape. Visibility was getting a bit spotty, but 595 could see flood plains surrounding most of this formation. The mountain in the middle was big, even by the standards set so far in this simulation. A broad, towering edifice of black rock, with a luminous beacon of white light on one shoulder about three quarters of the way up. Now that they were closer, the Agent could see that something similar to snow coated the top of the mountain, including the area around the beacon. There appeared to be a white winding path leading up to a small plaza. And as they approached, the light dimmed so much as to allow them a good look at the beacon's features with their night vision. It was a tall, rectangular building made from ivory-coloured stone. Rows of snow-topped steps led from the plaza up to a plinth of solid stone. A row of massive pillars circled the whole structure, sustaining a large sloped roof with exquisite carvings and murals. Light spilled from an opening in the front and rows of large windows 595 spotted along the sides. "That...was not what i was expecting." Dr Wetherall remarked, breaking the stunned silence. "It looks like something from Earth." Athena commented, as a freezing wind and flurries of snow whipped off the sides of the mountain and into their faces. The fliers took them down onto the plaza and released them. Then, one by one they took off again and swept away. 595 stared at the structure, mountain on her right and open expanse of plains off to her right. She felt like she'd seen this building before somehow. "Lets scout the perimeter, make multiple points of entry if we can." Thebes commanded. "Knossos, take Carthage and skirt left. Athena, Saddam, right. You're with me, ma'am. Ma'am!" 595 didn't respond, already creeping toward the front steps with her rifle raised.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Frigid, snowy mountains were not locations that Rothians would often visit willingly, but it was far from Rareth's first time out of her comfort zone. Besides which, between her suit and her implants, she did not feel the cold. Although she would not have admitted it openly, she did allow herself the briefest moment to take in the sight of this place they had came to. Its architecture was alien to her; like nothing she had seen on Rothia, or anywhere else among their colonies. Athena said it reminded her of Earth, and Rareth had no way of knowing how accurate that assessment was. Whatever its origin, this structure clearly represented something significant in this simulation. Everything else they had experienced had either been simple animals, natural features, or the creations of primitives. This was something else entirely. Its architecture and artistry implied much more advanced origins; although, Rareth still could not be sure if its creators were the same as those who had created the simulation itself. Hopefully, such questions would be answered soon enough. The Sacred Band approached the situation as expected of soldiers, securing the area and identifying tactically relevant information. Rareth had no objections there, but it was Agent 595's behavior that unsettled Rareth. She ignored Thebes and started approaching herself, weapon drawn. This was not the first instance of her strange behavior that Rareth had noticed, especially after the incident in the caves, and she would not ignore it. "Agent!" Rareth firmly declared as she stepped up just behind 595. "What are you doing? We have not come here to pick a fight. I will not have our first impression with this being to be to threaten it. You have been acting strangely for a while now; do not think I have not noticed."</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 595 didn't turn to face the Rothian. Her visor remained pressed against the delicate scope of her beam rifle. The bright white light emanating from the open entrance was proving hard to filter. "I'm just trying to see inside. This thing already knows we're armed to the teeth and leave a trail of destruction in our wake; why try and hide that at the expense of our security? Our presence is known, we can be certain of that." She opened her other eye, and saw Knossos and Carthage sprinting around the left side of the structure. Then, the light disappeared from her scope as Thebes stepped in front of her rifle with his back to her and hands linked. She recognised it as a peaceful, respectful way to contain her authority, developed during the long wars that mercenaries like the Sacred Band had fought on Earth and the inner worlds. The Agent slowly lowered her weapon and holstered it, blinking hard a few times. "Alright, we'll do it your way. Have we found any other entrances?" "Just the windows." Knossos crackled over comms "Every ten metres or so - no coverings." Thebes jumped in "Can you see through?" "No sir - they're too high up. We could climb?"</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori "I am not saying you should relinquish your weapon; I am saying you should not be pointing it at our host when we walk into its home." Rareth looked down and narrowed her eyes at the Agent, then retracted her helmet specifically so she could see the expression. She was not aggressive, nor did she seem angry, per se, but everything about her tone showed that she was deadly serious. "I do not know what will happen inside this place, but it very well could decide whether we leave here alive. I want to make sure that, at the very least, there will be no surprises from the allies beside me." Rareth walked a short distance up the steps as well to place herself between 595 and the entrance. "I have seen you as being aggressive, so far…trigger-happy, I think you might say. But that is not even what has the most of my concern. You have acted strangely, especially in the caves. One of those insects disintegrated to ash in your hands, then you seemingly disappeared from reality itself. You appeared in another part of the cavern in an instant, with your IFF tag no longer transmitting. Yet, you showed such little concern at this. It took such convincing for you to even see a medic. Was it pride, or something else? I want there to be no surprises in there; I want us to fully understand each other. So, is there anything you have not shared that would be…relevant to this?"</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 595 inhaled sharply through her nose, with gritted teeth and taut posture. It took every ounce of will she possessed to maintain her composure. How dare this alien meddle in her affairs! "You want to do this now?!" The Agent eventually hissed, peeling back her visor and staring right into the Rothian's eyes with her own augments. Two of the dots were solid blue, one blinked red. "I am fine. Perhaps if everything in this fucking place wasn't trying to kill me, i'd be less inclined to violence. With all this shit going on, frankly I'm relieved one of the creatures had the courtesy to wipe my memory once it was done trying to eat my face!" Thebes had slid directly in between the Agent and Rareth now, gently holding her back. "What's going on back there?" Knossos asked over comms. "Hold on, give us two minutes." Thebes ordered. "In case the Grand Datius needed a reminder, I don't answer to you. I serve Outremer, where people are dying every minute we waste, speculating if a sin-eater like me has her head screwed on properly! You do not have to like me, but I am finishing this mission and getting what we need to stop that from happening.." 595 spat, jabbing a finger at her own breastplate while stepping back away from the Rothian. She looked at the Human soldier in between them. "Thebes - have your team take a look through the windows. Right now." Thebes nodded. "Move in, both sides." He quickly relayed.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori "Perform reconnaissance only. Do not enter the building yet, nor engage in any hostilities." Rareth said to Thebes before quickly returning her attention to the Agent. "Yes, this is the only time we have to do this. I would have brought this up earlier, had we not been attacked. We might be in a simulation, but we are still on Rothia. For as long as we are on my homeworld, you do answer to me." Rareth turned her head briefly to look up at the structure looming over them. "The being that brought us here has not yet shown any aggression towards us. I will lead the way, and I will take the risk, but I do expect you to stay your hand. By definition, the beings of this simulation are an uncontacted civilization within Rothian space, so it is the Rothian government which has jurisdiction over first-contact diplomacy. You said it yourself: Outremer needs help, and we have agreed to help you. So, do not trample upon our agreement and goodwill along with it. So, I ask again, is there anything the rest of us should know? You disappeared, then reappeared by seemingly impossible means. I cannot even be sure that you are the same Agent 595 that entered that cave. Your mind could have been influenced, or even replaced, by something in the simulation when you disappeared. If you could share your recording of the incident, sensor readings, the medical report from Knossos, anything that might help us understand what happened…that is all I want: transparency." To reinforce her point, Rareth quickly sent the Sacred Band a copy of all of her recordings and other data from their time in the caves. Everything she saw, heard, and felt, they could access.</s>	<\|message\|>Agent 595 595 actually laughed out loud, shaking her head in derision. "Transparency? Oh that is rich, coming from you Datius! The pointy end of the entire Rothian apparatus, elevated to mythical status and shrouded in mystery, attached to wars across the galaxy, is asking me to explain myself." Dr Wetherall, who'd been watching this exchange in shock with the rest of the civilians, raised a hand and tried to interject. "Umm, the floor..." "Stay out of this!" 595 snapped, before jabbing a finger at Rareth. "Perhaps we should start with you explaining that wormhole tech you've been keeping a secret. That would've been useful to know about before Memnon died protecting your flank. Maybe we could've done things differently." The Agent stared at the Datius, as dull blue lights emanating through the hairline cracks in the plaza beneath them started shining brightly in patches where the snow wasn't piled up. "We need to-" Thebes started but couldn't finish. "ENOUGH." a voice boomed in their heads. 595 saw Rareth and Thebes were picked up like ragdolls, to float a couple of feet from the floor. Then she realised the same entity had immobilised her and the civilians in the air as well. An invisible manipular field forced their arms to their sides and their feet together. 595 tried to speak, but she couldn't move a muscle. Their suits powered down, and one by one they floated in a line toward the door. 595 tried to send a message using her mind implant, but that seemed to have ceased functioning too. They entered through the double doors at the front of the structure, into a grand rectangular gallery. Pillars stood on either side, and the high, open windows behind them were embedded in thick outer walls. Torches flickered in their sconces, but the real light in the room came from the figure sitting in a throne at the far end of the room. It looked Human in shape, before morphing into a Rothian silhouette and then back again. It seemed entirely composed of light energy, with no real features other than an outline. The rest of the Sacred Band were already lying prostrate on the floor a short distance from the steps leading up to the throne. The invisible fields laid 595, Thebes, Rareth and the civilians alongside them, heads facing the ground. Eventually, the Agent realised her muscles worked again. "Are you ready to talk to me? I don't have much time." The being asked out loud, in a dry, raspy voice.</s>
<\|description\|>Agent 595 Species: Human Gender: Female Age: UNKNOWN Nationality: UNKNOWN Weapons and/or equipment: UNKNOWN Backstory: UNKNOWN</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 The shape blinked out of existence, reappearing behind them. 595 slowly rose to her knees, but maintained a non-threatening pose. "This is not about power, not yet." The thing replied. It charged up the 'P' in 'power' until it echoed around the gallery. This thing accented the Human standard language quite thickly; the Agent also noticed a faint background noise when it moved and enunciated, like the hiss of a distant wildfire. "You're hiding something of ours. Our...home. It's begun...waking, hasn't it?" 595 flinched and closed her eyes when a blindingly bright hand reached down and stroked her bare cheek. "Shhh, it's alright. I mean you no harm." The thing soothed, the ambient hiss growing slightly as it moved away from her and sloped over to Rareth. "You have witnessed things you do not understand, and you come here seeking answers?" 595 moved her face away from the thing's wandering hand and nodded her head. It gave off what could only be described as a sigh, and slid a finger along Rareth's shoulders and back as it shimmered past. "I'm so sorry." It walked in front of them. "I fear that means our foe draws nearer, and that puts you in grave danger. You must help us return home, so we may escape. Otherwise, they will destroy us all."</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Rareth tried to take in as much as she could about her surroundings. Both the building and the being itself were something new and unexplained, but what it had to say seemed even more important. Both its words, and the subtext underneath, were worrisome, if they turned out to be true. Every sentence this being spoke raised a myriad of extra questions, but they could only tackle one at a time. Rareth supposed she should start with the most important first. "Yes, I can say that it is understanding that drives me." Rareth answered. "Your home, I suppose that refers to what the Humans call the Cradle, on their world of Outremer. It is a supercomputer, like this one, though substantially larger. My people have not been allowed access to it in the past, but because of its recent…waking, as you put it, my people have agreed to help them understand what is happening. If there is trouble coming, my people may be able to help. I would appreciate any answers you can give about it. This foe, what is it? And these devices like the Cradle, how do they relate to it?"</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 The being mimicked a wide, empathetic smile, with a slash of lighter coloured energy emerged on its facial area. "Look at you all… So strong, and loyal. It makes me proud - with more time, perhaps we could've made things right. But I fear it's too late now; our persecutors were numerous then and will only have grown in number over time. They will crush you if they discover you harboured us. They oppose our desire to spread life throughout the universe. They seek to control it all." The creature theatrically clenched one fist, to illustrate. 595 jumped in here. "Who is 'us'? I see only one of you here." The being stared at her, before stalking back to its throne and lounging on it. Its shape grew less recognisable as fuzzy, crackling appendages grew out, making it look like the manifestation of an electric shock. "There were four of us, before. But, one of us was killed by our foe as we tried to escape. We're scattered across this galaxy, badly hurt and hiding. We can't communicate directly, or they'll know where we are." The thing leaned forward in its seat, grasping the armrests with both hands. "But if you return us to our home, we can start to heal. And then we can lead them away from your civilisation. You've hidden our home well, behind your shields and underneath your city. But it won't take them long to join the dots once they arrive."</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori "Made things right…" Rareth repeated to herself as her mind was once again taken in thought. She picked up on how the being was speaking about them, and given the discoveries that had been made over the past few weeks, she felt there was little doubt as to why. "We discovered, hidden in our own DNA, coordinates to this place, this device. I feel there is no denying that your people have some connection to us, and an ancient one, at that. You spread life, you say, and I can only assume that we were among the life you spread." Nirann, nearby, hummed and briefly chuckled to himself. "Well, that would explain the long-standing improbability of Rothia bearing life at all." Rareth did not break her focus from the being. There were still many questions to be answered, though as she was currently the representative of her people, her words could well set the tone for their future relations. "I think it is fair to say, regarding my people, that we are loyal to life. We seek the…eternal preservation of ourselves, and other intelligent life. Anything that is willing to exist in harmony with us. If you are indeed peaceful, and this enemy you speak of threatens you, I believe we are obliged to help you. What is this foe, exactly? Is it another species, another civilization? If it cannot be reasoned with, then perhaps, together, we could resist it?"</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 The figure nodded sagely at Nirann's comment, some of its shock cloud attributes receding. "When I… crash-landed, this habitat was failing. I used most of my...payload to help life flourish here." It glanced between the droid and Rareth. "You were my best chance of communicating incognito. I am so pleased you have returned to me, and you've brought news of my home with you too." It smiled broadly at 595 and the other Humans at that point. It focused solely on Rareth's questions now. "We're being hunted by the Hegemon. A synthetic, like us, but obsessed with power." The thing spat out this word again, evidently disgusted. "It is determined to exterminate us, ever since we stood up to it's twisted plans for galactic dominance. Eons have since passed; the threat we face may be incalculable. At any rate, before we can even countenance resisting the Hegemon, we all need to return home."</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Rareth made a note of a few revelations from what the being was sharing with her. They were synthetics, both this being and these mysterious "Hegemon". That itself opened up more questions, but Rareth still had to choose what was the most pressing. She really did not know how much time they had to speak. "I believe my people may have a way to move you to Outremer. Whether you mean just your mind, or this whole place." Rareth answered. "But, I do still have questions about the Cradle. Most prominently, what we have encountered here, with you, is far from what I was expecting given what has been happening in the Cradle." She quickly gestured to her Human associates. "The reason the Humans have allowed my people to assist them is because the Cradle has become a hostile place for them. When the Humans discovered the Cradle centuries ago, they began using it and have organized much of their planet's administration through it. They created places within the simulation for themselves, but they never encountered any intelligent life within until recently. This intelligence has sent creatures to abduct and kill Humans within the simulation, and the reports I have seen have implied that some Human minds have been taken and incorporated into this being, or beings. Do you have any idea what might be happening? Is this something you might expect, or could something have gone wrong?" Rareth paused just a moment as she overlayed a relevant document onto her HUD. "If it helps, I have the report of a Rothian who spoke to one of these creatures. It spoke like a child at first, claiming to have lost its 'toys' far away. Then it changed its voice and said it remembered little of what it was, but it did recall the Rothians."</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 The being looked pleased when Rareth swung toward a solution, tapping the long tips of it's fingers together in a steeple pointed at the team. However as the Datius continued, it grew somber, clasping its hands together across the armrests and resting its sharp chin on them. The being sighed deeply when she had finished speaking. "I am extremely sorry, for all the unpleasantness you have experienced. It was never meant to be this way." It's voice seemed to be getting raspier; the light emanating from its body flickered momentarily. The snow and wind howling through the windows and across the gallery increased in ferocity. "The...Cradle… is badly damaged, like me. Now that it has been activated, it is rejecting all foreign bodies in preparation for conflict." One of the torches close to the doors blew out with a huff. The being snapped its fingers and the fire reignited. "And in the absence of directives from myself or the others, It is likely building its own...decision-making function." Dr Wetherall evidently couldn't believe his ears. "Like a consciousness?" He spluttered. The being weighed up those words before responding with a nod. "Sure. I can stop it, but It's imperative that you return me to my home as soon as possible, to prevent the corruption from growing any further." There was a very short pause, making it clear that the initial shock was wearing off. Dr Ngata jumped in next. "What about all the creatures we encountered on the way to you? One of us died trying to get here." The being stared out of a high window, flickering again. "They are me; all of it is. Those creatures are the remains of my payload - imprints of organic life potential. Sadly I lost control over most of my domain long ago, my mind...wanders." "Can you bring him back? The man we lost." Thebes asked, bowing his head respectfully. The being slowly swiveled to study the soldier. "I can try, if you help me heal my wounds." 595 was keen to keep the conversation on track, so she wasted no more time in asking the most pressing question on her mind. "It sounds like we need to rescue your, uh, colleagues, too, right? To restore balance to the Cradle? Do you know where they are?" The being shook its head, the fuzzy tendrils sprouting all over its body again. "No. I have to assume we are keeping each other safe, biding our time. If they are as weak as me...'running' is not an option." 595 nodded thoughtfully, glad her gambit had paid off.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori The Cradle being damaged was among the possibilities Rareth had considered, though several other possibilities had also been plausible. Still, if it could be repaired, as this being was suggesting, then it was not the worst case scenario. If the consciousness of the Cradle could be healed, then it would likely cease its hostilities. That was a satisfactory outcome to the Rothians, though that did not necessarily mean the Humans would end up satisfied. Even if the Cradle was healed and the Hegemon was evaded or defeated, there was no guarantee that Outremer would be able to retain use of the Cradle afterwards. That was a possibility that needed to be prepared for, In any event, the Rahn'Saki had already made the decision that they would not allow a mass-death event to occur, if there was a way to prevent it. "Even if you do not know where they are yourself, it may not be impossible to find them." Rareth remarked. She crossed her arms and looked ahead at nothing in particular as she started to brainstorm aloud. "The coordinates to this place were in our own DNA. If I understood you correctly, you helped us survive and made such changes to us in the hope that we could help you communicate with the others. Perhaps we could check the genetics of other known species to see if any other beings had the same idea? Granted, that may be a long-shot. Still, if there is any other evidence of intelligent tampering with a species' genetics, that would give us places to search. Otherwise, we do know that one of your kind's goals is to spread life, so starting our search in places with an abundance of life could at least narrow our search area." If the being had any input on Rareth's ideas, she would welcome it, but ultimately she stopped herself to avoid getting too sidetracked. Now, it was most prudent to use the time they had for important questions. Rareth did notice the hints of the changes going on outside the building as they spoke, and though she did not know the importance of them precisely, she suspected their time was not limitless. "In any case, as I said, we may well be able to help you reach the Cradle. Unfortunately, my people cannot make that decision unilaterally. Outremer is not our world. And no offense to those present, but I know some of the Human leadership to be….stubborn. Do you know of any evidence we could show them to convince them that what you say is true?" Rareth asked the being.</s>	<\|message\|>Agent 595 The creature nodded distractedly at Rareth's suggestions, its luminescence fading fast. It opened its mouth, then closed it again. "We…" It slumped back into it's throne. The wind rushing through the openings in the building took on a distinctly blurred quality. After a few moments it better resembled feedback from malfunctioning audio equipment than actual weather. While Rareth was racing to finish her latest line of inquiry, 595 was staring all around her. Several packet loss and operating viability flags appeared on her specialised sensory suite. "We have to get out of here." The Agent announced abruptly. She rose from her kneeling position and marched up the steps to the being. "If you want our help, you have to eject us this instant, do you understand?" The being regarded her feebly, lounging slackly in it's throne and flickering continuously. "What do you need? Power? Can we give you some energy to get us out of here?" The thing lethargically raised an arm, beckoning for her to come closer. 595 complied, edging right in front of it. As quick as a flash the creature grabbed her wrist. The Agent's suit crackled with energy, sending fingers of lightning out to connect the whole team. The wind outside was a deafening crrrrrrkkkkkkkkkk now, whirling around them like a tornado. "Make me proud." The thing whispered inside her head, looking straight into her soul with tortured, unblinking eyes of sunset red. --- 595 gasped real air, jerking taut against the harness weighing her down. "They're back!" Freyr shouted, racing over to her. "It's okay. Let me check your vitals and we'll get you out of this harness."</s>
<\|description\|>Agent 595 Species: Human Gender: Female Age: UNKNOWN Nationality: UNKNOWN Weapons and/or equipment: UNKNOWN Backstory: UNKNOWN</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta had seen the explosive drones in action before, so his implant knew to mark it as a priority threat. The drones were quick, but that did meant that, by tracking the drone's vector, he could know just as quickly which one was targeting him. In an instant, Vreta snapped his aim towards the incoming explosive. His implant gave its projected path, as well as assisting his hands in aiming precisely enough to put a shot right in that path. Vreta took multiple shots, though it was his first that struck the drone mid-air. The detonation was still close enough to stress Vreta's shields and drop them low, but he was still able to dive into the nearest cover. He had to wait for his shields to recover, so he took the time to observe the state of the battle. He was not sure what was causing his frontline to lose ground, considering the advantages they had over the enemy, but it was a circumstance he would need to adjust to. The soldiers behind Vreta were at least keeping Saddam occupied for the moment, so Vreta could afford to focus on Thebes. The marines Vreta was pushing with did not yet have pressure on them, though they had still not found a shot on Thebes. He was not sure he could rely on Kjartan to defeat Thebes alone either, so he needed to help personally. Vreta shifted over next to one of the Blue team marines in cover near to him. "I need this." He said as he grabbed the Human's lethal grenade. "Kjartan, shield up. Grenade incoming!" He warned through their comms before arming the grenade and tossing it over towards Thebes. He stayed down while his implant tracked the explosive through the air. Though he did warn Kjartan, he still made sure to throw it such that Thebes would be between Kjartan and the grenade, just to be safe. At the last moment, Vreta peeked a narrow angle and shot the grenade to airburst it on Thebes' position.</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 595 directed her sensory suite to find and mark key members of the opposing team in her HUD. She found Vreta near the centre, cloaked in a corona of fire from an explosive charge. The Varangian she'd seen on the bridge before was rushing Thebes. Athena had just respawned and Knossos was close to doing the same. So far, the Agent had spent most of the battle on defence. She'd abused her state of the art and highly classified set of tools to corrode the other team's capability to fight effectively. A series of malfunctioning weapons, IFF tags and communications pathways had insidiously tilted the balance in favour of the cornered Red Team. Her carefully applied active camouflage hadn't worked as well as she'd hope, though. This was when 595 had come to suspect that the Barb's Rothian guest was providing some kind of force multiplier; the other team was too accurate as to be natural. So, 595 had made her way hastily forward once her work had been done in the smoke. She didn't harass the retreating Blue Team - she was focused on just a single target. It was time to go on offense. Looking downrange, and piggybacking as many combat suit nodes as she could, the Agent assaulted Vreta's implants with a Grade 5 Cradle-Scrivener-Fujikawa virus. If left unattended, it would shut down all implants and paralyse him until recalled. It was an incredibly dangerous virus, normally reserved for dismantling entire battalions, but 595 was a competitive individual. She was confident Vreta wouldn't be able to resist a black site cyber attack and co-ordinate his troops at the same time. Biting her bottom lip with a gleeful grin, 595 began shooting at the retreating Blue Team vanguard. They were getting close to falling on top of Thebes, who had enough to worry about. --- Thebes scrambled away from the grenade like a Human cockroach, but couldn't avoid being flattened against the rubble beneath him by the concussive blast. He flipped onto his back, just as Kjartan vaulted over the barricade Thebes had been hiding behind. The Norse absorbed a few shots from the Team Leader's rapid-fire pistol before savagely bringing his hammer down towards his chest. Thebes rolled away and tried to get up. Kjartan was quick to retrieve his hammer from where it was buried in the ground and jab him in the ribs, sending Thebes flying into the side of a flier. Kjartan stalked forward, laughing maniacally.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori It took only a moment for Vreta to realize what was happening, and his implant was already working to contain the detected threat. Someone was being exceptionally bold, and at least at first, Vreta had a mind to show them who they were dealing with. However, he soon realized that there was something more to this virus. Normal Human malware likely would have been dealt with before Vreta was even aware of it, but there was something different about this one. His implant started dedicating a surprising amount of resources to adapting to the malicious code, so as quickly as he could, Vreta himself stepped into action. From the start, Vreta disabled all outgoing signaling from his implant to prevent any outbound transmissions. Without that, there would be no connection from his implant to any external server. Naturally, he also ceased his ongoing tactical support to his team so that his implant could dedicate its full processing power to the task ahead. Despite the surprising sophistication of the virus, Vreta might have been able to have it dealt with swiftly, had that been the path he chose. There was clearly Cradle tech involved with the program, but his own implant was top-of-the-line by Rothian standards. It had immense computational capacity compared to anything of Human creation, and this virus was at least still partially Human-made. Vreta, however, was not merely interested in stopping it. This presented new opportunities beyond just the outcome of a combat simulation. Vreta, of course, did nothing to hamper his implant's ability to fight back and protect himself. He stopped his own digital assistance towards his team so that his implant would have the resources for the kind of record-keeping he required. Like a ship sealing off compromised compartments, his implant first quarantined various sections of his internal network from one another. Some sections, by their core design architecture, were inaccessible. Implant subsystems connected to most vital organ systems were isolated, with their own processors and core programming. They were disconnected from his neural implant, except for a specialized interface that allowed the subsystems to view directives without allowing the direct transmission of code. The virus could not spread to them, but other systems, such as his sensory and motor functions, did have a direct, low-latency connection to his neural implant. As such, his implant did have to work to protect them. Instead of outright deletion, Vreta directed his implant to create an quarantined partition with "write once read many" write protection. Any well-made virus would be able to erase part or all of itself if needed, but his implant was more than capable of dealing with that issue. It issued a root-level override to all deletion operations, or indeed any form of code modification, to instead copy into the quarantined partition. In effect, that partition would serve as an immutable record of everything happening within Vreta's internal network in order to guarantee that he could save a copy of the virus in its entirety. Of course, Vreta had stopped giving any manner of assistance to his team during all of this, but at this point, his goals had changed.</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 The virus reported back instantaneously upon release. 595 stopped firing and dedicated most of her processing power to understanding the request. She was still vaguely away of the battle unfolding in front of her, but it seemed to slow down. "Quick - release me; this one requires full control." The virus whispered in her mind. The Agent's HUD helpfully painted a dozen thin black helixes winding between her helmet and nodes out in the field, which then wrapped around Vreta. These connections all gyrated impatiently in the air. "SCRIVENER-FUJIKAWA CONTROLS MUST NOT BE RELINQUISHED." a synthetic warning blared. 595 quickly analysed some of the data the virus was feeding back. Vreta's internal defences were already going up, and she only had a vanishingly small amount of time to upgrade her attack. The Agent could see Vreta, and he was just standing in place. That wasn't enough for her; she wanted to see him flat on the floor. Normally she wouldn't even consider an action like this, but she'd felt an odd affinity with the viruses in her arsenal recently that hadn't been there before. She felt more comfortable with controlling it personally, and even relished the challenge. "Alright. But just remember you belong to me."The Agent overrode the lab controls, and instead assumed direct control. A new, totally alien strand surged through the slaved network, fully intent on Vreta. 595 drew in a sharp breath as some of the readings washed over her. She instantly felt a pull on all her personal control over the virus, like it was straining at the leash, dragging her along. It was a hundred times more complex, yet somehow felt familiar. However, it never reached Vreta. A deafeningly loud klaxon sounded inside the simulation room; red lights flashed. The black helix lines in 595's HUD went taut, then whipped back towards her as every piece of Human hardware inside the room, apart from her, powered down. Every detail of the simulation bled away, leaving clear white contours that'd raised from the floor to form the cover and buildings. Some of these too began lowering back into the floor, leaving the participants staring about, confused. 595 gasped as the virus rushed back into its box in the back of her head and hid. "Stand down! Simulation ends." A human coordinator shouted from the control pod.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta's implant had stamped out the final traces of the virus in his mind, outside of the records in the quarantined partition. Though, it had stopped fighting back after the room had gone dark. The simulation might have ended inconclusively, to the confusion of most of those involved, but Vreta could be satisfied with the fact that he had a record of everything that happened within his mind. He realized that he was going to have to schedule some minor surgery to deal with this, but hopefully, what was within his storage drive now would be a gift well-worth the trouble. In the spectator's booth, there was another guest to the Barbarossa. She stood near the window, looking out over the now-featureless arena. Rareth was unarmored and unarmed, or at least did not carry any external weapons. She had not originally come for any official purpose as a Datius, but rather simply to speak with the members of the Sacred Band. She had not expected anything more complicated than a conversation, but she was nothing if not adaptable. It had been easy to notice when something strange started to happen with Vreta, so she had been in a position to observe everything that was observable when the room shut down. "Interesting." On his part, Vreta did not show any signs of distress, nor did he have any intention of letting on to what happened on his own. It was in his interest to keep the details quiet for now, if at all possible. In fact, the more ignorance he could believably feign towards 595, the better. Though, he could not be sure what the simulation's observers already knew. After all, the room would not have shut down without reason, so either the virus forced the simulation into shutdown for some reason, or there was something that the ship could detect, which it reacted to. "Is everything fine? No one is hurt, are they?" Vreta asked loudly.</s>	<\|message\|>Agent 595 The Agent glowered up at the command pod for spoiling her fun. There she saw the big Rothian from the earlier simulation, and Captain Andersen. She was standing among the technicians and some other officers, staring right at 595; she didn't look pleased. The Agent huffed. She turned around and headed quickly for the staging area and exit, pushing past a marine who was chatting with the soldier beside him. "Move!" As she navigated her way around the mounds of nondescript cover and thought it through, a little seed of dread germinated in her head. Even if the Rothians captured her little toy and had the nerve to disable the controls, they wouldn't see the same thing she'd just seen. They couldn't, not yet. She'd covered her tracks too, so diplomatically they couldn't touch her. But that wasn't what was unnerving her. It was how connected she'd been to that virus in its final form. She'd been training for this over fifty years, but nothing could have prepared her for the raw power mainlining through her implants. She'd gotten a partial map of the inside of Vreta's head, but otherwise the controlled virus had obviously been outmatched, fighting with one hand tied. But the other one...she couldn't help but wonder if it would've accomplished its mission and more… "Everyone make your way carefully back to the staging area while we reboot." The co-ordinator ordered. 595 checked her arsenal, making triple sure the Scrivener-Fujikawa controls were fully enabled again. It looked secure; although she couldn't help but distrust the virus' willingness to go back to its prison. The Agent's skin crawled; she suddenly wanted to feel the open air. She peeled back her visor but wasn't satisfied. She opened the whole front of her suit and stepped out, clad in shorts and a vest. It remained open and walked confidently behind her, ready for re-entry at any moment. 595 snatched the assault weapon out of its hands and shoved it into the armoury-tech's arms before stalking to the doors. --- "Not yet, anyway!" Kjartan jokingly responded to Vreta. His blood rage faded away quicker than it had appeared. He offered a consolatory hand to Thebes, who was on his hands and knees preparing to get up. The Sacred Band leader took it and got to his feet, holstering the energy blade he'd hidden under his body. Kjartan seemed close to deprecating the team leader, but something stopped him. "I serious about joining Sacred Band." He admitted gruffly, nodding respectfully at Thebes as they made their way towards the exit with everyone else. "I know." Thebes replied.</s>
<\|description\|>Agent 595 Species: Human Gender: Female Age: UNKNOWN Nationality: UNKNOWN Weapons and/or equipment: UNKNOWN Backstory: UNKNOWN</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 "My patience is wearing thin, Agent. This is the second time you've failed us." The Director-General spoke directly into 595's head. She was curled up in Freyr's office, cross-legged in her chair. Rows of symbols flashed on a nearby monitor as she stroked the interface pad. "Your inability to control the powers we've invested in you will be drawing even more attention to us...Do we need to replace you?" "No, Master. I've meditated on it now. All the signs point to my Sublimation having begun already. I will exercise more restraint from now on, like you taught me. I will keep an eye on the other Humans too, in case they show any signs of change. The Rothian Datius may prove a bit trickier…" "Don't attempt anything until we've extracted the Navigator from Rothian space. Just run interference on any further investigation. We have to assume the entity interpreted our handshake as we intended...We have a team examining the sample data you sent. If you hear anything from CRD about the location of the other artifacts, you report back immediately. Understand?" "Yes, Master." 595 wanted to ask about the situation at home, about the fight raging inside the Cradle. But she knew the Director-General wouldn't answer. He chimed in again. "And try to drive a wedge between Dr Lang and this...Vreta'Sori. We'll deal with him properly when the time comes." 595 spotted Freyr entering the lab space outside the office windows. "Of course. I have to sign off now - Dr Lang has risen." "Don't let me down. We are watching you closely." The connection to Outremer ceased. 595 quickly uncurled from her comfy position on the seat and padded out of the office.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori When Vreta opened his eyes once more, it took a moment for him to start breathing again. His core software had already booted up before he was conscious, while secondary programs started to come online once he was awake. His surgery, along with most others on Rothia, was performed by quick, precise, and reliable machines, but even for them, the complete overhaul of his neural structure was a task that lasted several hours. He had been told beforehand everything the procedure would entail, which was why he was surprised at just how…normal he felt. At least, for the first few seconds. Vreta had been moved from the auto-surgeon to a hospital bed before he had awoken. The sensors in the bed beneath him were constantly scanning his vitals and sending the results to the two doctors that were looming over him while his implants were coming online. The pair of them were both occupied looking at charts and readouts on various holographic screens floating around them, while talking back and forth to one another mostly in medical jargon. However, there was a third being that he could see: a Rothian woman. She caught his attention right away, not in the least because of the vibrant designs of her scales. Repeating patterns of various shades of orange and yellow stood out between black and white accents all across her body. She seemed to be sitting between the two doctors, right on top of some medical equipment, yet they did not look at nor even acknowledge her existence. Vreta was still too weak to get out of bed, and besides which, the doctors would likely still want to keep him under observation for a while. However, he did look up at the Rothian, finally acknowledging her where no one else had. The woman stood up to her feet and walked past the doctors, again without notice. "Well, you're finally awake. Glad I finally get to meet my new host." Vreta nodded his head and took another moment just to breathe. He still remembered his briefings on this; answering her aloud was not even necessary. Merely thinking would suffice. "I suppose so. I would introduce myself, but I guess you already know everything there is to know about me." The woman chuckled briefly. "Not quite. Even for me, it will take a while to sift through six centuries of memories. Even then, memories, by themselves, don't give all the context. Anyways, I'm Rhia'Sel, and if the mission briefing I got is anything to go by, we're going to have a lot of work to do."</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 Freyr looked up from the console she was reading from over Dr Wetherall's shoulder and saw Agent 595 exiting her office. They locked eyes across the lab - the spook winked and grinned devilishly at her. Freyr didn't react, immediately thinking back to the previous afternoon. The Rothian Speaker, Roth'Orsa, had questioned the motives of the Director-General, Agent 595 and the organisation they claimed to be a part of. A lot of what she...it had said resonated with what Freyr had pieced together so far. It had felt nice to talk to something that shared her concerns, even if they were almost certainly synthetic. But any feeling of security Freyr gained from the meeting were immediately shaken upon leaving. 595 promptly and firmly whisked her back to the Barbarossa, where the Director-General was waiting on a holo-screen. Ostensibly, this meeting was for her to run through her report on their foray into the simulation, propose next steps and answer questions. Freyr dutifully obliged; the bright-eyed man was technically her boss, after all. She explained her recommended course of action - learn as much as possible about the object before it was moved, try to negotiate terms of use for the Cradle. 595 jumped in, changing the conversation entirely. "What did you and the Speaker talk about? Back then, in Threria." The Agent was leaning against the wall behind where Freyr was seated with her arms crossed. The Director-General's holo was in front of her, staring into her soul. Freyr had been expecting the question, but her throat still tightened and her cheeks still burned. She gulped. "She wanted to talk about how they could best assist us with our investigations." 595 appeared from behind and sat down in a seat facing her. "And what did you say?" The Director-General asked. "We're, uh, going to set up a joint patent scheme to take advantage of Rothia's advanced technology. They claim to have improved our mobile transit station design. Don't worry, I'll have our team ensure they-" "You're lying to us, sweetie. I thought we were friends?" 595 asked. "I'm not lying, I-" "You do not have the authority to make deals on Outremer's behalf. I will need to see your implant recordings of this conversation, to see if it's something we can legally offer." The Director-General interrupted her. Freyr hesitated, then pretended to look through her internal archive before focusing back on him. "I don't have anything recorded, the Speaker must have a scrambler. I'm sure she'd repeat it for you though." 595 chortled. The Director-General considered her like a science teacher might inspect a dissection sample. A few seconds passed before his features softened and spoke softly again. "These aliens, Dr Lang...they aren't your colleagues. That thing you just talked to is the leader of a police state. They want nothing more than to take the Cradle for themselves and turn us into a satrapy if we give them the chance. While our leaders have lost their senses and agreed to cooperate with them, that doesn't mean we should let our guard down." He took a pause. "I understand that collaboration in the pursuit of science is your natural response. But this is no longer just a scientific endeavor. The survival of our entire species hangs in the balance now. Conspiring against Outremer and Humanity with a foreign power is at best, grounds for dismissal. At worst, treason. So i'll ask you one more time. What did you say to them?"</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori About the next half hour was spent with Vreta having about three different types of diagnostics run on his body while answering questions to the doctors. Rhia's internal diagnostic finished long before the other two, and she gave him a clean bill of health. Vreta could easily believe her, as he was well-aware of the fact that she had knowledge of every single cell in his body. Or at least, that was the reach of his implants, and she had taken the place of his implants' central operating system. Really, he had few options except to trust her. In principal, he was still in charge, but that was convention enforced through Rahn'Masser rules and regulations, not anything physical within his mind. They were meant to be partners, so there was nothing that shackled her in his implants. Rhia continued to appear in a Rothian form within Vreta's vision, but it was only he that could see her for now, until she decided to show herself to others. "Once the doctors cut you loose, we have an appointment to meet back up with Rareth. With how long you've been under, they'll surely have at least some preliminary results by now from studying that virus. Though, we can't take too long talking. Investigations into the object will probably start soon enough, and we'll want to be there for that." Vreta tilted his head towards Rhia, though it occurred to him that he should probably avoid making gestures towards her in public if he wanted to avoid any peculiar looks from others. "Are you sure? This is all pretty new to me. I imagine we, or…I, at least, would benefit from a good orientation and some practice with your capabilities." "Normally, yes." Rhia nodded. "But, we're not really operating on our own timetable right now. Besides, the best way to learn is by doing, right? Don't worry too much, you'll pick up what you need easily enough. And I already know what I'm doing. You're not the first head I've been in. I was partner to a Datius for almost a century. He's retired from field service now, though, and I was looking for something new." "A Datius?" Vreta remarked. He was surprised, but this time avoided showing that outwardly. "I imagine there are some amazing stories you could tell from that. I've seen Rareth'Jharn in action." Rhia chuckled for a moment. "Yeah, those were great times. Great…classified times. Don't worry, though. We can make our own stories. It looks like the doctors are almost done."</s>	<\|message\|>Agent 595 Snapping from her reverie momentarily, Freyr grabbed a pill from her back pocket and popped it in her mouth. She slurped her coffee again and wolfed down a spoon of her granola as she watched 595 make her way over. The Agent was being uber polite, standing aside to let scientists pass and exchanging pleasantries with them. That wasn't a good sign. --- At this point, Freyr realised didn't have much to lose by doubling down on her statement. What she was saying wasn't technically a fabrication. It just relied on the Speaker actually following up on what she'd said. "I've already told you. We talked about improving our Cradle-tech. You should be thanking me." Director-General Smith audibly sighed. Freyr noticed 595 look quickly at his holo, as if waiting for some signal. Smith almost imperceptibly shook his head at the Agent, before looking back at Freyr. Every nerve ending in her body was screaming at her to get up and run, but Freyr forced herself to remain motionless. "Very well. I'd like you to conduct your investigations from aboard the Barbarossa. That way, I'm better placed to help you coordinate the team's efforts, and can stay in closer contact. I also require the Agent or myself to be involved in every conversation you have with the Rothians from now, in the interests of national security." Smith paused, and returned with a consolatory tone. "Only together, will we bring your family back. That's your main reason for being here, right? Remember that." Freyr felt her jaw tighten and her breathing stop. The Director-General signed off, and 595 patted her gently on the shoulder before leaving her alone in the conference room, staring at the wall until she couldn't hold her breath any longer. --- "Good morning. What's the plan?" 595 asked enthusiastically, gliding in beside Freyr's console. Freyr eat another spoonful of granola and made the Agent wait while she swallowed. "I'm going to request a tandem insert from the Barb. We've got the infrastructure here to move heavy equipment into the sim. It'll be faster than transporting everything down to the FOB." "Exciting!" 595 grinned, stroking her arm. Freyr tried her best to not look resentful as she requested a call with Marae.</s>

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<\|description\|>Vah'lux Ki-ao'uthal Gender: Female Race: Goliath Main Class: Barbarian Alignment: Chaotic Good Size: Large (considered one size up due to "Powerful Build" trait) Height: 7ft 5in Weight: 275lbs Eyes: Emerald Hair: Charcoal Appearance:A being slightly below average for her race of pseudo-giants, Vah'lux stands at seven-foot-five, with lean, defined muscles, slate-toned skin mottled with darker -virtually random- streaked markings, and emerald eyes that seemingly glow in low light under a furrowed brow. Dark hair is about as disheveled as one would imagine from her kind, cut uneven in some areas, and the longest part braided in a thick ponytail and secured with beaded string and fabric remnants. While the woman may be in her late twenties, years of harsh weather, blows to the face, scars that never healed properly, and other factors have made her seem older and quite "rough" in appearance, stripping away the beauty she once held as a youngling within her race. Layers of light tan-colored wrapped linen cover her chest and pelvic areas, while her armor consists of thick, reinforced furs and pelts, intricately woven and layered in order to keep both the elements at bay, and bodily damage to a minimum. Personality Description: Ambitious, even-tempered, mentally tough, and competitive, Vah'lux gleans with a genuine confidence that very few seem to have in this current age. Whereas her demeanor may come off as coarse, it couldn't be further from the truth. Her rough exterior is balanced by a warm, humble approach, and generally friendly disposition, as even when things may seem dark, she manages to lift the mood of the people she encounters.</s> <\|message\|>Vah'lux Ki-ao'uthal The freshly sharpened tip of the steel javelin caught a small yellow-orange ray of morning sun as the hunter nestled between a pair of tall, hollowed-out tree trucks. The sunlight hadn't quite reached the entirety of the vast landscape, and the massive trees of the forest gave just enough shadowy cover to keep the Goliath hidden from all but the most keen of vision. It was time to hunt, and this part of the region of Faerun was known for its wild boar, elk, and various vegetation, unspoiled by the age of industry as the wilderness itself continued to thrive. The large frame of the tribe-woman stood as still and silent as was possible, and a muscular arm held the short, spear-like weapon at the ready, awaiting the small boar to make its way into the kill zone. Vah'lux learned much about patience when it came to the hunt, taking what she had been taught all those many years ago and building upon it, especially as a lone hunter. Too long had she been separated from her people. Too long had she dwelled in lands not her own. But if there was anything that could be said of the great race of pseudo-giants that hailed from the mountainous Northern reaches of Faerun, it was their survivalistic instinct. But, until she is one again reunited with her great tribe, surviving in the unknown regions is her only recourse. Her emerald eyes darted to movement several meters ahead, and her hand gripped the javelin as she knew this would have to be the creature she'd tracked earlier. The wild boar were quite large in this part, one which could provide food for at least a few days, or even a week if rationed out properly. However, a Goliath's metabolism is quite extraordinary at times, that such a beast may only be sufficient for a day or two. Either way, Vah'lux was hungry as her stomach enjoyed reminding her throughout the early morning hours. There it was, the boar! And with her weapon at the ready, Vah'lux was just about to thrust her arm forward and release the steel javelin so it may fly through the air, fast and true, toward it's target. But wait. What is this? Someone or something had spooked the animal enough for it to flee for its life, and Vah'lux, irritated by the sudden interruption, allowed a frustrated sigh to escape through her lips and nostrils. This wasn't right. This was supposed to be her kill, not that of another. But, as it turned out, the short strangers paid no heed to the boar as they marched through the dense trees up ahead, with makeshift spears, wooden shields, crude swords, and a nasty disposition backed by distinct snarling and bickering that reminded the Goliath of a particularly sly and disgusting creature. "Goblins." She muttered under her breath, stepping back behind the old tree trunks to be fully engulfed by their shadows, while maintaining a clear visual on the band of mischief-makers as they continued their trek past her hunting spot and toward the south. Vah'lux had seen a few smaller groups of Goblins over the past week, gathering in various spots along her travels, and the few times they spotted her, their first instinct was to steer clear of the "giant woman", which most likely kept them alive a day longer. But the Goliath let them pass. She had no quarrel with them, nor did she intend to start one. She herself was enough of a stranger in a strange land, and at the moment, food was about the only thing on her mind.</s> <\|message\|>Brennen, Pyromancer of the Charred Bog "Huuch! Daagaan an or huuch!?" Harsh, guttural words escaped the lip-less mouths of one of the creatures, larger and uglier than the others. With a shortsword that appeared to be little more than a jagged shard of obsidian tied to a makeshift hilt, the Goblin swung the blade about with as much refinement as a butcher with a cleaver. "Hegaan an huuch!" The Goblin spat, now pressing the sword's tip against Brennen's neck. His head tilted back as far as it could go, Brennen's lips twitched in fearful anticipation, ragged breaths leaving his chest. With only the slightest amount of pressure, the blade began to cut into his flesh, blood already starting to trickle from the wound. "I don't...know...what...you're asking me." Brennen plead in his defense, wincing as the sword dug slightly deeper, drawing more blood down his neck. "Hegaan huuch! Or o dhuul..." Brennen could've sworn the Goblin's rasping voice took a sinister edge, but had little time to focus as the Goblin's blade began to move, opening fresh cuts along his neck, only just skin-deep. Eyes slamming shut, Renault breathed in sharply as the stinging sensation followed the blade's trail. The spark he had been coaxing in his bound hands flared to life, unleashing a gout of flame that assailed one of the nearby trees. In only a few seconds, the familiar stench of smoke began to fill the air; as leaves and bark began to pop and smoke, fresh tongues of fire forming along the trunk. Taken by surprise, the Goblin quickly withdrew the obsidian blade, barking commands to the other wretches, who scrambled frantically to try and put the fire out.</s>	<\|message\|>Vah'lux Ki-ao'uthal ○ ○ ۝ ○ ○ The Goliath knew of a river that ran quite the distance toward the Southwest, and since that was the way her travels would take her, she walked for a good distance -wary of the Goblins in the area- until she eventually reached the banks of fresh water. Thirsty, Vah/lux pulled the hide water pouch from her belt to refill before continuing her journey along the river, gripping the javelin in one hand, which can also double as a close-combat weapon should the need arise. Her weapon of choice, however, has always been, and will alway be, the large glaive strapped to her back, one which was taken as almost a "trophy", from her Orc captor many months prior. She had, since then fashioned the polearm to suit her aesthetic, carving into the hardwood handle, ancient symbols of her people, tribe, and culture, as well as fashioning feathers together from sacred birds, and hanging them just under where the massive blade attached. Vah'lux had wondered quite often why she'd kept such a reminder of her many years in captivity under the mud and shit covered heel of the Orcs, yet she could think of no other reason as simply a reminder of victory against oppression. Never again would she allow herself to be taken prisoner. At least, not alive. The smell of burning wood caught the Goliath's attention as the winds shifted toward her, and while that isn't an unusual scent to be carried through the air considering plenty of intelligent creatures through the wilderness may build fires for cooking or warmth, what wasn't typical was using the wood of the great pines, as it can be toxic to ingest and quite messy. So, one of two things were happening, perhaps: A camp had no other choice of kindling, or- And just then, Vah'lux could see the thick, black plumage of smoke atop the tree line ahead, which most likely meant one or more of the pines had caught fire. "V`harsoth" She spat the curse in her native tongue, immediately assuming that the various Goblin bands she had been seeing were most likely responsible for the destruction of nature. Creatures such as they were conniving, created only for nefarious purposes, and the Goliath despised them just as much as Orcs. As she drew closer, the fire could be seen through the dense forest, and the Goblin's guttural voices echoed from afar. A few could be seen running down to the nearby river, scooping up water with makeshift items and even the flipside of their shields, only to hustle back up the incline and disappear behind the trees. Using the bit of shadow cast from the forest, she moved up toward the thick, shady areas, keeping behind shrubs and trees as she crept closer to what appeared to be an encampment, and several Goblins scurrying about. Vah'lux also noticed something, or someone sat down and propped against a tree, with another Goblin a few feet away barking out something to the others as well as keeping an eye on its captive. Human? She assumed based on the figure's body proportions as she crept that much closer, and did her best to avoid direct inhalation of the smoke that was building. The Goblin looming over the captive shot a glance toward her direction, and the Goliath stopped, hoping that her natural slate-colored skin and earthy hide armor would keep her position secret for the time being. And that it did, as the creature turned away and toward the tree fire that the others were tending to. With a sigh, Vah'lux wondered why she was getting herself into this mess in the first place. This wasn't her fight, per se, and she could be off carving her own path through Faerun. But the Goliath, as stubborn as they could be, were also a culture who had a heart to assist those in need, sometimes whether they deserved it or not. And with that, she circled around until she was out of the Goblin's line of sight, and crept ever-so-closer to her target. Human indeed, or perhaps an Elf? It was hard to tell from the vantage point, but regardless, the person was clearly tied to the base of the tree as the Goblins decided to have their way with his camp. This wouldn't do at all. Vah'lux pulled back her muscled arm, javelin balanced in her hand, and closed an eye to gauge distance before thrusting the weapon forward and letting it fly through the air with the force of a hurricane behind it. The metallic spear emitted a low whistle as it cut through a few low hanging branches before skewing clean through the side of the Goblin's odd-shaped skull, and sending its small frame soaring a few meters across the grassy landscape before the sharp tip of the javelin embedded itself into the trunk of a nearby spruce. The Goblin's body dangled lifelessly. Vah'lux ran up to the stranger who had been tied to the tree, knelt down next to him, and pulled out her hand ax to slice the ropes. "U'hrs ghorth" She said to the other, quickly realizing this one most likely did not speak her language. "Do not move." Her words seamlessly switched to the common tongue, with still the hint of an underlying accent. "Are you hurt?" She finally said, after a few moments of cutting through the bindings until the stranger's wrists were free. At that moment, however, the shrieking of the Goblin's filthy language echoed from across the clearing. A few of the ones putting out the tree fire had turned and noticed the Goliath, and they were not happy. One even let off a barrage of exclamatory comments after witnessing the death of their supposed leader. "Can you fight?" The Goliath gazed at the other with large emerald eyes that almost seemed to glow in the light of the fire. She cocked her head slightly, awaiting an answer, however, at that moment a half dozen Goblin soldiers armed with various melee weapons and shields bounded toward the two of them. "By Kavaki, I certainly hope you can." She said with a sigh as she stood to her feet, towering over the human, and passed him her ax which would most likely require two-hands to wield. With almost the same fluid motion, Vah'lux reached around to the Glaive strapped to her back, and with flick of her wrist, released the hook and swung the six foot weapon around to her front before holding with both hands into a ready position.</s>
<\|description\|>Vah'lux Ki-ao'uthal Gender: Female Race: Goliath Main Class: Barbarian Alignment: Chaotic Good Size: Large (considered one size up due to "Powerful Build" trait) Height: 7ft 5in Weight: 275lbs Eyes: Emerald Hair: Charcoal Appearance:A being slightly below average for her race of pseudo-giants, Vah'lux stands at seven-foot-five, with lean, defined muscles, slate-toned skin mottled with darker -virtually random- streaked markings, and emerald eyes that seemingly glow in low light under a furrowed brow. Dark hair is about as disheveled as one would imagine from her kind, cut uneven in some areas, and the longest part braided in a thick ponytail and secured with beaded string and fabric remnants. While the woman may be in her late twenties, years of harsh weather, blows to the face, scars that never healed properly, and other factors have made her seem older and quite "rough" in appearance, stripping away the beauty she once held as a youngling within her race. Layers of light tan-colored wrapped linen cover her chest and pelvic areas, while her armor consists of thick, reinforced furs and pelts, intricately woven and layered in order to keep both the elements at bay, and bodily damage to a minimum. Personality Description: Ambitious, even-tempered, mentally tough, and competitive, Vah'lux gleans with a genuine confidence that very few seem to have in this current age. Whereas her demeanor may come off as coarse, it couldn't be further from the truth. Her rough exterior is balanced by a warm, humble approach, and generally friendly disposition, as even when things may seem dark, she manages to lift the mood of the people she encounters.</s> <\|message\|>Vah'lux Ki-ao'uthal ○ ○ ۝ ○ ○ Mages. Conjurors. Wizards. Sorcerers. Spellcasters. No matter what they referred to themselves as, or what others perceived them to be, only one word came to the Goliath's mind: Trouble-makers. Growing up in a culture where magic and mysticism seemed to be two separate entities, the magic aspect of Faerun was all but lost on many of her kind, and therefore mistrusted and seen as the work of darker spirits. On more than one occasion, Vah'lux herself witnessed such chaotic usage of spells and witchcraft, even a few of her tribe-mates dfelving in such things only to meet a terrible and agonizing end. Some losing their minds, others, being quite literally consumed by spells that were meant to defend, but backfired instead. The bottom line was that magic was not to be trusted until otherwise proven different. And as the Goliath stood nearby only to see a spark form into a large ball of fire within the palm of the human's hand, she all but leapt backwards a few meters, caught off guard by the cunning of yet another mage. With glaive at the ready, she watched as the fiery weapon was thrust forward and immediately hit the Goblin assailant nearest to them both. Vah'lux had to quickly remind herself that things were already set in motion, and it would do her no good to allow such prejudices to cloud her focus. At least not at that moment. Two Goblins flanked the Goliath, one wielding a shortsword of crude iron, and the other a wooden pike fashioned with a rusty spearhead, and seemingly felt as though they were making a poor choice but at the very last moment. Vah'lux shifted her foot and positioned herself to face the attackers, swinging the massive glaive in a forward arc, first slicing through the torso of the sword-wielder, and knocking the other to the ground, before allowing the momentum of the weapon to guide her next action. Vah'lux quickly pivoted slightly, spinning the shaft of the glaive so the tail-end pointed down at the prone Goblin, and with a great force, impaled the creature through the face with the pointed steel tip. It's lithe frame squirming under the initial pain, followed by muscle spasms, until no movement was left. The other, sliced halfway through it's torso, bled out into the soil beneath. The Goliath spat toward the corpses, hating the fact that their decomposition would soon contaminate an otherwise beautiful area. The Goliath pulled the bloodied glaive from the ground and turned to spot two others nearby who seemingly were ready to defend whatever they had left...</s> <\|message\|>Brennen, Pyromancer of the Charred Bog There were few true warriors to be found in the Charred Bog. Their lack of contact with the outside world removed the necessity for it. Indeed, no knights or armor-clad soldiers could be counted amongst their numbers. They were pillagers, scavengers, finding what weapons and bits of metal they could from the swamp, itself. Centuries worth of failed campaigns and ill-fated adventures. The Pyromancers used their home to their advantage; favoring skirmishes and short-lived, decisive battles over drawn-out conflicts. To say that Brennen was out of his element in the middle of enemy territory surrounded by angry, bloodthirsty Goblins would have been a gross understatement. But to his incredibly tall rescuer, it was almost a dance. She swung her blade with deadly precision, and Brennen could not help but notice the nearly dance-like rhythm of her muscles beneath slate-colored skin. For such a large, unwieldy-looking weapon, she wielded it as though it were weightless. For comparison, Brennen held the smaller axe she gave him with the clumsiness of unfamiliarity. His own axe was far smaller than this; little more than a hatchet, all things considered. But this weapon, suited for one closer to his rescuer's size, forced him to adapt his stance. Of the two Goblins that presently remained, one, at least, had the forethought not to end up like his burning companion, and charged at Brennen with a cry that radiated pure malice. Seeing this, Brennen took a step back, a brief flash of surprise spreading across his features before settling into stoic concentration. Loosening his grip on the axe ever so slightly, he felt the polished wood handle slide down his hand, waiting until he nearly reached the butt of it. Tightening his hold as the Goblin came ever-closer, Brennen threw all his weight into an upward swing, using his momentum to add strength to the strike that he could not have otherwise. The blade caught the Goblin by head, cleaving into mottled flesh and rotten bone before sending the creature's mutilated corpse back and onto the blood-stained grass. The last Goblin remained, betraying in its cruel countenance, a fearful uncertainty of what it wanted to do next. Run close and face an axe? Or keep distance and confront the woman's glaive. Still hearing the anguished moans of his still-smoking companion, the Goblin was smart enough to realize two words that every race could trace back to at some point or another: Fire dangerous.</s> <\|message\|>Vah'lux Ki-ao'uthal ○ ○ ۝ ○ ○ The fact that the human struggled a bit with the weight of the Goliath's hand axe wasn't missed, and it even brought a bit of a smirk to her face watching such a thing. Still, there was a small bit of respect now for the mage, that while Vah'lux assumed differently about the effectiveness of such a man's martial skills, it was clear that the human at least knew how to swing a weapon without losing it. The Goliath turned her attention to the remaining Goblin, the one who seemingly was at odds with itself and with the situation at that point. Their comrades were taken down within seconds between both she and the human, and perhaps the creature who now stood shaking and mumbling something in its native tongue would be wiser to simply- "We have a runner..." Vah'lux said in a matter-of-fact tone, watching as the small being turned-tail and scurried off as quickly as its little legs could carry it. The warrioress jammed the spiked butt-end of her glaive into the ground far enough for it to stand on its own, and with the other hand, reached behind her to slide out another steel javelin from it's leatherbound quiver. Switching it to her other hand, she shifted her stance, positioning herself to wind back her arm, and held the other out, pointing two fingers toward her target, as she turned her head and aimed down the length of her muscular arm for a moment. "But hopefully not for long." And with that, she thrusted her weapon arm forward and released the metal shaft as it once again let out a low whistle through the air, gliding across the clearing, before skewing the Goblin through the back and causing it to immediately collapse and squirm before bleeding out. Vah'lux sighed as she surveyed the camp. "I assume this was your place?"</s> <\|message\|>Brennen, Pyromancer of the Charred Bog The battle ended, almost as quickly as it had begun, in fact. The tension in his body relaxing, Brennen's shoulders fell into a more casual posture as he looked upon their handiwork, eyes falling to each of the corpses that marked their victory. Wordlessly, he knelt near to the ground, reaching for the obsidian short sword that lay in the grass, falling from the grip of the Goblin whose remains still decorated the nearby tree. Holding it to the morning light to examine its craftsmanship, the blade looked equal parts crude and beautiful to Brennen. Given the poor quality weapons possessed by the majority of Goblins, anything more polished than a rusted dagger would have likely been a sign of strength and status. For a moment, Brennen held the blade properly by the hilt. It was too light and clumsy, made for hands much smaller than his - and certainly much smaller than that of his rescuer's. He turned to see the woman surveying the camp, with a look that befit a hunter upon the horizon. "I assume this was your place?" She said to him after a deep sigh escaped her lungs. "No, actually." Brennen answered, ending his first sentence with an uncertainty that indicated he was not done speaking. He looked down at the obsidian blade still in his hands, debating its usefulness, then letting it fall to the wet grass without another thought. "No, they must have dragged me here; looking for loot and a meal, most likely." Brennen continued, a look of concern briefly flashing over his hood-obscured features at the thought of being cooked and...eaten by those creatures; which would have undoubtedly been his fate had this woman not come along when she did. "I just--" he hung on the word for a second, eyes narrowed as he looked for something. "Need to see where they put my things..." With that, he moved towards the center of the camp, closer to the bonfire that still burned, though was hungering for kindling that was not there. As he walked by, Brennen absentmindedly stretched out a hand into the fire, his fingers curling as tongues of the flame lapped out towards him, as though trying to ensnare him before releasing their hold - unharmed. Heading towards one of several crudely-constructed tents - the largest, in fact - Brennen stooped low enough to cross the flap-covered threshold, the sound of clattering and items moving about undoubtedly reaching the woman's ears, followed by a sudden "Aha!" As Brennen assuredly discovered something he was looking for. A few moments after, Brennen emerged from the tent, holding a rustic, weathered knapsack in his hands, made of coarse leather and holding several empty vials on the outside. Opening the sack, Brennen scoured its contents, making a mental checklist to ensure each and every one of his items were still accounted. He procured a chipped and worn hand axe, the tool fitting into his grip with a familiarity and ease that more than signified that this was his weapon of choice. Returning the axe to a notch at Brennen's belt. Briefly heading back into the tent, Brennen emerged lastly with a shield...if it could even be called that. The slab of planks with an iron boss in the center looked hardly fitting for a Goblin, let alone a proper Human, but Brennen seemed not to care. With his gear now back with him, Brennen returned to the woman, looking all the more pleased. "Ahh, good to know they didn't destroy everything. Though I think a few of them may have drunk my potions...Hm." Pausing on that note, Brennen looked up to face his rescuer, holding out the axe she had given him with slight difficulty. "I never properly thanked you, I'd have assuredly been killed had you not arrived. I am most grateful." At this, Brennen gave a small, halfway bow, showing all the clumsiness of a man inexperienced with such gestures. "I am Brennen, what might your name be?"</s>	<\|message\|>Vah'lux Ki-ao'uthal ○ ○ ۝ ○ ○ If anything, humans seemed to be a rather predictable lot, along with attachments to a variety of objects that could not or would not have an attachment to them. And while the Goliath admired a warrior who prized a particular weapon, for instance, the weathered mage had a few things that appeared to be near and dear to him. Things that almost seemed trivial to the other, yet what did she care? Vah'lux nodded in appreciation toward Brennen as she slid the shaft of the hand ax through metal rings that hung on a thick leather belt around her waist. Speaking of admired weapons, the woman couldn't deny the fact that she loved the ax, especially one so well-balanced and fit just right for her style of combat. She may have hailed from a race of pseudo-giants who packed on the muscle through both genetics and physical training, but make no mistake that she was far from a lumbering beast. Heavy, clumsy weapons were never her thing, but a weapon with some weight to it and one that wouldn't hinder her ability to make swift attacks and counters, was something to cherish for sure. "You handled yourself well." The Goliath said as she continued to survey the area, watching as the fires which engulfed at least one pine began to die away. "I noticed the Goblins on my own journey throughout this part of Faerun, especially this far west. I think something may have pushed their numbers this way, but unsure of what." Vah'lux shook her head. "Most likely greed if you ask me. They are a race of scavengers above all else, and where there are numbers in their ranks, there's bound to be trouble on the horizon."</s>
<\|description\|>Vah'lux Ki-ao'uthal Gender: Female Race: Goliath Main Class: Barbarian Alignment: Chaotic Good Size: Large (considered one size up due to "Powerful Build" trait) Height: 7ft 5in Weight: 275lbs Eyes: Emerald Hair: Charcoal Appearance:A being slightly below average for her race of pseudo-giants, Vah'lux stands at seven-foot-five, with lean, defined muscles, slate-toned skin mottled with darker -virtually random- streaked markings, and emerald eyes that seemingly glow in low light under a furrowed brow. Dark hair is about as disheveled as one would imagine from her kind, cut uneven in some areas, and the longest part braided in a thick ponytail and secured with beaded string and fabric remnants. While the woman may be in her late twenties, years of harsh weather, blows to the face, scars that never healed properly, and other factors have made her seem older and quite "rough" in appearance, stripping away the beauty she once held as a youngling within her race. Layers of light tan-colored wrapped linen cover her chest and pelvic areas, while her armor consists of thick, reinforced furs and pelts, intricately woven and layered in order to keep both the elements at bay, and bodily damage to a minimum. Personality Description: Ambitious, even-tempered, mentally tough, and competitive, Vah'lux gleans with a genuine confidence that very few seem to have in this current age. Whereas her demeanor may come off as coarse, it couldn't be further from the truth. Her rough exterior is balanced by a warm, humble approach, and generally friendly disposition, as even when things may seem dark, she manages to lift the mood of the people she encounters.</s> <\|message\|>Vah'lux Ki-ao'uthal ○ ○ ۝ ○ ○ The woman couldn't have agreed more. The Goblin population seemed more an infestation than anything else, pushing out communities here and there, and setting up their own camps by way of resources that were already available. However, they are also creatures of fairly easy flight response, and will usually only attack when they know their numbers outweigh the competition. "Vah'lux." The Goliath nodded toward the other, "And yes, others will most definitely come, if they are not already nearby, signalled by the smoke from the fires." She motioned toward the blackened pine near the edge of the clearing. "It is only good that a single tree had been affected, and not several acres as I have seen before." The Goliath shook her head, thinking back to a previous encounter with Goblins, and their destructive presence upon the woodlands. "In any case…" She continued, walking over toward both spots to retrieve her javelins. "It is time to move on." Vah'lux pulled the first weapon out of the trunk of the tree, as the corpse of the creature slid from the shaft and crumpled to the ground. As she walked over a few meters to retrieve the second, the woman stopped for a moment to listen. The clanging of armor and weapons, and the muffled chatterings of the Goblin language was carried along with the breeze blowing in the adventurers direction. After grabbing the second javelin, the Goliath signalled to Brennen, pointing to her ear first, then the direction of where the sounds were coming from. "We need to go. Now" She whispered, passing closely by the other. "There is a river to the west, not far from here. I suggest we cross it to throw off any trails, then we may go our separate ways."</s> <\|message\|>Brennen, Pyromancer of the Charred Bog "Smoke from the--oh." Brennen caught himself repeating Vah'lux's words as his eyes drifted to the results of his handiwork. He was filled with a sense of shame at his carelessness, however unintentional, and the knowledge that it has been entirely his doing. Lips twitching slightly as he focused perhaps much too hard on his actions, he instead brought himself back to the present, nodding at the large woman as she went to retrieve her javelins. But before much could be said or done, the woman stopped, tensing, a focused look in her eyes. As she signaled over to him, he heard it, too, the guttural chittering of Goblin voices and the clanging of mismatched, ill-found armor and weapons. He wracked his brain for any possible way to create a distraction of some sort, then quickly gave up. Anything he attempted to do to throw them off would likely only attract them further, no, they had to move. "Let's be off, then." Brennen declared in a hushed voice, nodding once at Vah'lux before taking off westward. Though he remained unsure just how far the Goblins had taken him from his camp, a man his size, it couldn't have been terribly far. Once he caught sight of the river, he'd be able to better catch his bearings...then see where the road took him next.</s> <\|message\|>Vah'lux Ki-ao'uthal ○ ○ ۝ ○ ○ Skimming along the river several meters, Vah'lux examined the water to catch an area where they could cross, specifically where the mud was high enough that they didn't have to be totally submerged. The sharp-toothed creatures that lurked below the water's surface were the unforgiving lot, and being too vulnerable would mean a huge disadvantage for both the Goliath and the human. The huntress kept watch along the treeline as well, ensuring that that duo wasn't being flanked by Goblin forces. "Here." She pointed to an area in the river where the mud was raised enough enough to almost make a bridge across the river. "We'll cross here. But be wary, this river is deeper than it appears." The large woman stepped into the water, which rose up to about her knees, and kept steady with her glaive used as a walking stick. "Keep an eye on any shiny yellow-orange fish, they tend to enjoy nibbling to the point that they may tear flesh."</s> <\|message\|>Brennen, Pyromancer of the Charred Bog Following suit after the woman, Brennen was taken aback - though more out of annoyance - as the water that rose to her knees reached his torso, making his gait slow and unseemly. The Bog had only a few places where the fetid water reached any higher than one's ankles, but the Pyromancers knew to steer clear. Magics had a profound impact not only on their wielder, but on the environment as well. Places shaped, twisted by years of exposure to the mystical forces that lay just beneath the surface of the temporal. Though the Pyromancers stood as steadfast guards within the Bog for centuries, just outside their borders, covens of witches, necromancers, and would-be-warlocks practiced their foul 'arts', irrevocably tainting the land. Struggling to find a foothold in the frigid, flowing waters, Brennen briefly regretted finding his gear in the Goblin's camp, as the hatchet at his hip felt like a hunk of raw lead only further weighing him down. Eyes peeled just beneath the surface of the river, Brennen kept his arms up as much as he could, in case someone...or something intended to engage them. Spotting something bright and orange out of the corner of his eye, Brennen did not hesitate, letting out a hiss through grit teeth as he shot a bolt of fire towards its direction in the river. Though dissipating as quickly as it had appeared, the fire displaced the water, leaving naught but steam in its wake. He looked up at Vah'lux somewhat sheepishly, perhaps thinking his reaction was a tad overzealous. But given the situation they were currently in, a healthy paranoia was, perhaps, a necessity.</s> <\|message\|>Vah'lux Ki-ao'uthal ○ ○ ۝ ○ ○ The flash of fire and immediate hiss of it disappearing into nothing but vapor, caught the Goliath's attention from the corner of her eye. For a moment Vah'lux had forgotten that a mage was in her midst, at least, {i]some[/i] sort of a magic user dealing with fire. A "Pyromancer" she believed they were called by some, and even "the devil's advocate" by others, which was more a term born out of spite than anything else. Most people looked at a magic user as untrustworthy and deceitful, and while the Goliath herself felt those waves of sentiment, it was more the fact that her companion was human. Trust had to be earned in great leaps and bounds for sure. "You would do well to keep the use of magic to a minimum here." She said very plainly, looking back at the other for a moment before returning her attention toward the riverbank. "There are plenty of sentient creatures in this region who would most likely kill you at the sight of such trickery." Vah'lux could tell her own bias against a human user of magic was beginning to surface in a way she didn't particularly like. Emotion was a weakness, and one she could not -would not- show in the company of a stranger. At that moment, nearing the edge of the river, she leaped onto the muddy bank, using her glaive to steady her balance due to the uneven surface. "Watch yourself there, as this sand can be unforgiving." Moments later, the garbled hysterics of the Goblin language could be heard echoing from the other side of the river, where a handful of the creatures peeked out from the darkness of the forest. A few decided it best to wastefully spend a few crude arrows at the travelers expense, all of which fell short of their targets. Vah'lux shook her head at their presence, still curious why they are as restless and aggressive as they've been for the past few weeks. "They are no danger to us now, but be on guard." The Goliath gaze across the flatter lands in front of them, which wasn't as heavily covered in trees and a bit more open. "It is safe to part ways." She gave Brennen a not, as though to say goodbye to say farewell to the human.</s> <\|message\|>Brennen, Pyromancer of the Charred Bog Trickery? Brennen at first looked confused by the word. Then - if only for a moment - indignant. What was the trickery in fire? Fire was warmth, and light. A shining beacon that stood vigilant against peerless dark. His lips twitched ever-so-slightly under his hood, as though he was measuring what to say. The flash of anger that briefly overtook him disappeared as quickly as it had come. Offense was not intended, and he would not respond with it. "The Sorcerers that navigate the lands outside may wield magic with a guileful hand, intent to deceive. But the Fire we wield is primal...heretical. Not drawn from arcane tomes and spell-books, but from ourselves." To emphasize his point, Brennen cupped both hands together, letting a sliver of flame - no bigger than a candle - manifest in his palms. "It is more than just magic." He said, this time looking up to Vah'lux. "It is a part of me." At that he smiled, almost softly, as if in reminisce. Returning to the present once more as they reached the bank of the river, Vah'lux warned of the land's unsteadiness as she leapt upon the muddy sand, using her weapon as a foothold. Nodding once, Brennen followed in suit, showing ease-of-movement that spoke to his upbringing. The Bog was filled with all manner of deep pools and shifting ground. The first mistake many would-be-conquerors made was bringing horses into such a treacherous land... "It is safe to part ways." Brennen heard her say, turning to see her nod in his direction. This was a farewell. Though Brennen's instincts agreed with her sentiment, something else in him fought against that, prompting him to, for better or worse, go against instinct. "I still owe you a debt." He replied, pausing to let the words hang in the air. "I'd have been dead by now, were it not for your timely rescue. That's something I take seriously." Though he said nothing else, his intent was quiet clear.</s>	<\|message\|>Vah'lux Ki-ao'uthal ○ ○ ۝ ○ ○ The Goliath knew her words would sting the other in a way that cut deeper than she could ever imagine. They were not words to be spiteful, but moreso, out of caution, as Vah'lux had her fair share of dealing with darker forces than the one standing only a few feet from her. However, the primal side of life she most certainly understood, and respected to a degree. It was the early teachings -both physical and spiritual- of her people that kept the Goliath grounded throughout the trials and tribulations. Primal knowledge of one's heritage was important. She glanced at the small fire Brennen conjured in his cupped hands, and nodded in acknowledgement. Certainly nothing special, but still something, she supposed. However, what had caught the tribe woman off guard was the mention of a "debt" that the human mage felt as though he owed her. At first she was about to reject the offer, instinctually wanting nothing more to do with a wandering stranger who most likely didn't want to be in the Goliath's presence anyway. But, she stopped herself, and instead went against her better judgement out of a glimmer of respect for such honor and dignity being shown at the moment. "Just know I will not be responsible for your safety." She said after a few moments of mulling it over in her head, leaning slightly on tall glaive while peering down at the man. "I do not carry extra rations or water, and any food will need to be obtained by your own hands." The disclaimer did seem to come off rather harsh, but in the back of her mind, she hoped the mage would reconsider the offer and go about his own business. "Otherwise..." She sighed. "You are welcome to accompany me." The statement was followed by a nod, before turning her sights toward a cluster of trees in the distance, this time on their side of the river. "The path to the south is being watched, and the Goblins won't forget what happened back at the camp. We will continue to head west, but be on guard." She said, putting a large hand on Brennan's shoulder and giving the human a bit of a squeeze. "As these creatures have a nasty habit of picking on the smallest first." Vah'lux gave the other a wry grin and a gentle pat as she turned and headed toward the intended direction.</s>
<\|description\|>Vah'lux Ki-ao'uthal Gender: Female Race: Goliath Main Class: Barbarian Alignment: Chaotic Good Size: Large (considered one size up due to "Powerful Build" trait) Height: 7ft 5in Weight: 275lbs Eyes: Emerald Hair: Charcoal Appearance:A being slightly below average for her race of pseudo-giants, Vah'lux stands at seven-foot-five, with lean, defined muscles, slate-toned skin mottled with darker -virtually random- streaked markings, and emerald eyes that seemingly glow in low light under a furrowed brow. Dark hair is about as disheveled as one would imagine from her kind, cut uneven in some areas, and the longest part braided in a thick ponytail and secured with beaded string and fabric remnants. While the woman may be in her late twenties, years of harsh weather, blows to the face, scars that never healed properly, and other factors have made her seem older and quite "rough" in appearance, stripping away the beauty she once held as a youngling within her race. Layers of light tan-colored wrapped linen cover her chest and pelvic areas, while her armor consists of thick, reinforced furs and pelts, intricately woven and layered in order to keep both the elements at bay, and bodily damage to a minimum. Personality Description: Ambitious, even-tempered, mentally tough, and competitive, Vah'lux gleans with a genuine confidence that very few seem to have in this current age. Whereas her demeanor may come off as coarse, it couldn't be further from the truth. Her rough exterior is balanced by a warm, humble approach, and generally friendly disposition, as even when things may seem dark, she manages to lift the mood of the people she encounters.</s> <\|message\|>Brennen, Pyromancer of the Charred Bog Trickery? Brennen at first looked confused by the word. Then - if only for a moment - indignant. What was the trickery in fire? Fire was warmth, and light. A shining beacon that stood vigilant against peerless dark. His lips twitched ever-so-slightly under his hood, as though he was measuring what to say. The flash of anger that briefly overtook him disappeared as quickly as it had come. Offense was not intended, and he would not respond with it. "The Sorcerers that navigate the lands outside may wield magic with a guileful hand, intent to deceive. But the Fire we wield is primal...heretical. Not drawn from arcane tomes and spell-books, but from ourselves." To emphasize his point, Brennen cupped both hands together, letting a sliver of flame - no bigger than a candle - manifest in his palms. "It is more than just magic." He said, this time looking up to Vah'lux. "It is a part of me." At that he smiled, almost softly, as if in reminisce. Returning to the present once more as they reached the bank of the river, Vah'lux warned of the land's unsteadiness as she leapt upon the muddy sand, using her weapon as a foothold. Nodding once, Brennen followed in suit, showing ease-of-movement that spoke to his upbringing. The Bog was filled with all manner of deep pools and shifting ground. The first mistake many would-be-conquerors made was bringing horses into such a treacherous land... "It is safe to part ways." Brennen heard her say, turning to see her nod in his direction. This was a farewell. Though Brennen's instincts agreed with her sentiment, something else in him fought against that, prompting him to, for better or worse, go against instinct. "I still owe you a debt." He replied, pausing to let the words hang in the air. "I'd have been dead by now, were it not for your timely rescue. That's something I take seriously." Though he said nothing else, his intent was quiet clear.</s> <\|message\|>Vah'lux Ki-ao'uthal ○ ○ ۝ ○ ○ The Goliath knew her words would sting the other in a way that cut deeper than she could ever imagine. They were not words to be spiteful, but moreso, out of caution, as Vah'lux had her fair share of dealing with darker forces than the one standing only a few feet from her. However, the primal side of life she most certainly understood, and respected to a degree. It was the early teachings -both physical and spiritual- of her people that kept the Goliath grounded throughout the trials and tribulations. Primal knowledge of one's heritage was important. She glanced at the small fire Brennen conjured in his cupped hands, and nodded in acknowledgement. Certainly nothing special, but still something, she supposed. However, what had caught the tribe woman off guard was the mention of a "debt" that the human mage felt as though he owed her. At first she was about to reject the offer, instinctually wanting nothing more to do with a wandering stranger who most likely didn't want to be in the Goliath's presence anyway. But, she stopped herself, and instead went against her better judgement out of a glimmer of respect for such honor and dignity being shown at the moment. "Just know I will not be responsible for your safety." She said after a few moments of mulling it over in her head, leaning slightly on tall glaive while peering down at the man. "I do not carry extra rations or water, and any food will need to be obtained by your own hands." The disclaimer did seem to come off rather harsh, but in the back of her mind, she hoped the mage would reconsider the offer and go about his own business. "Otherwise..." She sighed. "You are welcome to accompany me." The statement was followed by a nod, before turning her sights toward a cluster of trees in the distance, this time on their side of the river. "The path to the south is being watched, and the Goblins won't forget what happened back at the camp. We will continue to head west, but be on guard." She said, putting a large hand on Brennan's shoulder and giving the human a bit of a squeeze. "As these creatures have a nasty habit of picking on the smallest first." Vah'lux gave the other a wry grin and a gentle pat as she turned and headed toward the intended direction.</s> <\|message\|>Brennen, Pyromancer of the Charred Bog Brennen couldn't help a slight chuckle at Vah'lux's words, initially wanting to make a sly comment in regards to her first statement. However, given the circumstances of their meeting, Brennen decided against it. Cockiness would get him nowhere when he had to be rescued just minutes ago. Regardless, self-sufficiency was a virtue in his culture. His days of total helplessness ended the moment he was weaned off his mother's breast. Though Valaista had blessed them each with the Gift of Flame, the Bog was a dangerous place inhabited by twisted creatures. Their Arts aided them, but those who lacked the proper mindfulness were swiftly overcome. "Goblins have always been around, but--" Brennen paused, pondering on his next words before speaking. "Their boldness has increased." At this, Brennen rubbed the back of his head through the coarse fabric of his hood, wincing as his fingers brushed across the spot they had clubbed him. "Orcs and Goblins are alike in only a few ways, but those ways bode misfortune for anyone else. They're disorganized, aggressive, and self-serving. But every so often, one with a little ambition takes over and then you have an army. They never last long, but..." Brennen's mouth twitched, clearly thinking of the untold horrors that a Goblin raid would inflict. Taken out of his thoughts by the woman's large hand clapping against his shoulder, Brennen couldn't help the slight stumble in his steps from Vah'lux's clearly superior strength. "Smaller in stature, but certainly not helpless...ordinarily." Brennen spared a slight chuckle. "There should be a small town not far from here...a few miles to the West. The Goblins couldn't have taken me far, so we should still be in the right area. It's walled off, has a small militia, should be somewhere safe to stay temporarily while we figure out a plan."</s> <\|message\|>Vah'lux Ki-ao'uthal ○ ○ ۝ ○ ○ Agreeing to stick together for the time being, the pair headed west, off the beaten path as to hopefully lose any previous pursuers. The sky was slowly beginning to darken with an oncoming storm, as the temperature dropped slightly following gusts of wind. "Aye, the Goblins have been busier as of late." The Goliath nodded in agreement with Brennan's earlier comments. "Mischief begets further mischief." Vah'lux glanced behind them for a moment, seeing a few stragglers trailing behind as the cluster began to disperse. "But, something seems to be stirring their curiosity, or perhaps restlessness, as their drive toward aggression grows each day...." She returned her attention toward the path ahead. "Which becomes more of a nuisance for those wishing to be left alone." The town Brennan mentioned was known to the tribe-woman as one of many trade stops for travelers and merchants, which generally meant the roads leading there would be monitored by not only local militia, but bandits as well. And while the Goliath wanted very little to do with predominantly human-populated towns, she supposed it was a necessary evil to at least lie low for a night. "'Windsgate', I believe is the town you speak of." Vah'lux said after a few moments of silence. "I have never been there, but have met a handful of halflings and humans who reside within its walls. They were, for the most part, hospitable...at least once they saw past the giant of course." She smirked, but shaking her head as well at such things. Humans always had an uneasiness around her kind, but a Halfling who already felt too small for the world most definitely would feel out of place amongst the race of Goliath.</s> <\|message\|>Brennen, Pyromancer of the Charred Bog Brennen let out a short chuckle at Vah'lux's remark, though could not hide his own uncertainty as they followed the path that led to the town. There was a wariness to every step he took, as if he were walking toward a confrontation. There were only a few villages that brushed the grassy border of the Bog, their inhabitants reclusive and suspicious. But those who were aware of the Pyromancers talked of them with disdain. Brennen's giant companion was right: magic was a contentious force to begin with, treated as either a high art, lowly trick, or even demonic power depending on one's perspective. As such, Brennen took care to steer clear of most settlements he came across, preferring to keep to himself in the dense wilds. Sadly, the bristled hairs on the back of his neck followed Vah'lux's suspicion as she glanced behind her. Ordinarily, skirmishers such as these would trail only until the town came into view before promptly disengaging back into whatever sweltering hole they came from. But given the current circumstances, previous behavior was no longer a reassurance. Keeping quiet for the remainder of the journey, Brennen finally broke the silence with a hushed "There it is." As Windsgate's somewhat-imposing walls came into view. The townsfolk had carved this spot of land by hand, using the fell trees to create a shielded defense from anything that dared challenge them from the outside. Two guardsmen stood watch, militia types, by the look of it; wearing an unmatched assortment of leather and chainmail, leaning on spears likely hewn from the wood found in the surrounding area. One of them sniffled, eyes peering up beneath an ill-fitted helmet to appraise the two of them. While not overtly hostile, there was a glint of misgiving in his dark eyes, likely wondering what would bring two queerly-dressed strangers to him. "You lot don't look like traders..." The guard motioned his spear towards Brennen and Vah'lux to emphasize his point. "What brings you here?"</s>	<\|message\|>Vah'lux Ki-ao'uthal ○ ○ ۝ ○ ○ The journey on foot toward Windsgate had been relatively quiet, which was fortunate for one such as the Goliath, preferring the ambience of her woodland surroundings to the ramblings of a human. Still, Brennen's company was bearable as traveling companions go. Vah'lux felt slightly more connected to him from the little she knew of his background and culture, but it did appear that he was a lot closer to nature than many of his kind she had encountered previously. Humans were, at least in her experience, about as untrustworthy as they came, and the woman hoped that she was wrong about the mage. "And so it is." She responded to the other, as they made it to the gates of the town under the watchful and suspicious eyes of the guards. Their bewildered expressions did not go unnoticed, as was typical when a Goliath -much larger than a human by a few feet- would come within proximity. Sometimes it was a mere glance and the shaking of a head, but there have been other times where the initial response was to draw weapons on such a creature as though the lot of her race were nothing but mindless barbarians. Thankfully however, the latter had not been the case, as both her and Brennen stepped into the courtyard of Windsgate unbothered. An ornate circular fountain sat in the center of the square, and at the top sat the statue of their alleged local founder and folk hero: a hunter-gatherer who fought off hordes of Goblins and Orcs to liberate the lands and usher in peace for many years. Of course, peace only lasts for so long. "Where shall we go from here?" Vah'lux said, leaning against her glaive and surveying the small wood and stone buildings that lined the area. Among them, a tavern sat at the far end. "While I am not one to drink at such an early hour, I seem to recall the tavern straight ahead as having a wonderful stew, known to replenish even the most weary of travelers."</s>
<\|description\|>Shadekit -> Shadepaw -> Shadefish -> Shadestar Age: 62 moons Gender: Male Clan: MistClan Rank: Leader Appearance: A slender black tom with sharp green eyes. Personality: At first glance, Shadestar is an aloof cat that doesn't really make his emotions known. He is rather stoic, even with his own Clanmates. But deep inside, he cares deeply for his cats-- it's just that he's awkward and not sure how to show he cares. He's a bit quiet, but understanding and accepting of those who deserve it. Shadestar is also prone to drifting off into his thoughts, often staring into space when he does so. Despite appearing distant, he has a dangerous temper when it comes to cats that dare threaten his Clan. He's somewhat strict when it comes to rules and traditions; a no-nonsense cat, he won't allow others to push him around. Biography: Shadestar was born in the middle of a very warm greenleaf alongside two of his brothers, Robinkit and Riverkit. The three of them played and played and played, exploring MistClan's camp and getting into all sorts of trouble. That was, up until the three kits contracted greencough. Riverkit and Robinkit both died, and Shadekit was suddenly left without brothers. He became very withdrawn due to this, though the then-leader, Lightstar, believed it was a sign from StarClan. Lightstar took Shadepaw as her own apprentice, and because of her mentoring, he blazed through his apprenticeship and earned the name Shadefish. Shadefish was able to successfully train two apprentices when MistClan's deputy, Deep-pool, was suddenly attacked and eaten by a crocodile the Clan had been dealing with for the entirety of newleaf. Lightstar, befuddled by many seasons of leading, took advantage of the situation and immediately promoted Shadefish to deputy. It didn't take him too long to take Lightstar's place-- she passed away due to an unknown illness in leaf-bare of the same year. Shadestar has been the leader for approximately five seasons, and has seven lives left. Apprentice?: None at the moment. Mate?: None at the moment. Kits?: None at the moment.</s> <\|message\|>Shadekit -> Shadepaw -> Shadefish -> Shadestar Shadestar MENTIONS: Eelpond --- Shadestar desperately wanted Eelpond to stay in his den for a little bit longer, but there were responsibilities the both of them had to take care of. He nodded solemnly as Eelpond departed, and once again he was left alone within his den. The morning was soon turning into sunhigh. Hopefully it would be warmer as it got later. He gave his chest fur a few licks and got up to leave his den again. Now that the apprentice ceremony was over, he could grab something to eat from the freshkill pile. The black tom approached the small pile on the floor and pawed at a trout that had most certainly been pulled from the surrounding waters. Hopefully the hunting patrols would come back with more food that day. He grabbed the trout and took it to a sunny spot in camp, settling down and beginning to remove some of the scales that covered its body. Maybe he could go hunting later as well... there was so many things to do that day. Though Eelpond's words sent a shiver up his spine; Irisstar was certainly not being friendly and it would be bad if he went and attacked his warriors. StarClan, I hope not.</s> <\|message\|>Eelpond __________________________________________ Shadestar's Den ---> MistClan Medicine Cat Den Mentions: @blindwoofer's Tinypaw The medicine cat let out a little grateful purr of his own as he settled down on the other side of the fish, tucking his front paws against his chest for now so that he could lean down and bite into the prey, falling quiet for the moment as both cats focused on filling their bellies. Eelpond especially knew that they would need to eat well, they'd need their strength for the journey to the Moonpool. He'd done the trip so many times that admittedly, Eelpond hadn't really thought about using travelling herbs, he hadn't needed them for quite some time now. But he could see how they might help Tinypaw, so, after he had swallowed the next mouthful, he sat back slightly, swiped his tongue around his whiskers and nodded. Eelpond flicked his tail as he looked back towards their den, then the calico she-cat, and dipped his head again. "Yeah, I think some travelling herbs would be helpful, don't you? Do you remember how to make them up?" he didn't think that she would have done so already, they didn't have the time before the apprentice ceremony, so Eelpond figured now was as good a time as any to fit in another lesson and teach Tinypaw how to put together the herb wraps. "Finish up with that fish and join me back in the den, I'll go and start laying everything out so I can show you."</s> <\|message\|>Tinypaw Tinypaw Mentions: @The Elvenqueen The little apprentice smiled happily as she ate. When Eelpond sat up she blinked and licked her whiskers. As he spoke she nodded some. She did think traveling herbs would be a good to have. "Well it is a long way to travel so I would think so." She said but paused and thought a moment before she shook her head. Tinypaw didn't think they'd had reason to make any since she'd become an apprentice so she hadn't learned them yet. Of course it hadn't even been a full moon since she'd been given her apprentice name so there was time to learn. Smiling again she nodded before leaning down and licking up the last few flakes of fish. Once done she quickly groomed before trotting back into their den. "I think daisy leafs are in traveling herbs." She announced once she came into the den. It had taken her time to think it over but she did remember that since one day they'd picked some and Eelpond had told her that they were used to ease pain in joints and given to traveling cats. Sitting down in front of the spot he had the herbs lined up she'd wait excitedly for him to show her how to make the traveling bundle of herbs.</s> <\|message\|>Eelpond __________________________________________ MistClan Medicine Cat Den Mentions: @blindwoofer's Tinypaw __________________________________________ When Tinypaw agreed that she thought the travelling herbs would be a good idea, the older tom nodded gently and left her to finish up the rest of the fish he'd left, getting to his paws and padding into the den to go to the herb store. As he waited for the little calico to join him once more, Eelpond's paws moved through each crevice with practised ease to select out piles of herbs he knew they would need for the mixture, he'd been a medicine cat for long enough now to know them off by heart. Tinypaw would get there too, one day, with his guidance. He set each pile of leaves out in front of him and waited patiently for the she-cat to return to the den. When she did, he waved her across with his tail, beaming proudly as she already managed to recall one of the plants without him so much as prompting her. "Yes, exactly! Daisy leaves are one of the ingredients, well remembered!" he purred proudly, flicking his tail to indicate the other herbs he had laid out before them. "But that's only one of the herbs needed to make what the Clan calls "travelling herbs". There are three others that are mixed together with the daisy leaves that help to give cats who make long journeys strength, and to fill their bellies so they don't feel hungry as quickly, which means that they can cover more ground for a journey like the Moonpool without worrying about hunting on another Clan's territory, which would be against the Warrior Code. Now, do you recognise the names of any of the others, if you have a look at them here?" he would, of course, tell her if she didn't, but a quick test to see if she did remember any wouldn't do them any harm.</s> <\|message\|>BranchFall Interacting with: @skitts \| @sassy1085 --- It was a glorious day, at least. That was where the positives tended to end. Things along the borders were always quite iffy. Anything could happen. The next big war could be snowballed from a border incident, and most of them were. They were walls in which the clans were divided, entities of harsh justice that ensured there'd always be a contest to be had. Though, it wasn't an imperfect system. The clans could define their hunting grounds and could adapt to their own parts of the valley, differentiating them and creating an identity amongst the wild. A sense of order, contained in a small plot of land that rivalled the others. Those were the things to be glad of. Time and time again, Branchfall had wondered how life on the free market of preservation played out. Relying only on themselves was a hasty job, especially in the presence of four great clans and the dangers the valley had to offer. He pictured the rogues and the loners as being amongst the most headstrong and capable cats across the land, held back only by their stubbornness and lack of social wit. The perspective of borders was all too different from a cat who'd been on two sides of it. He'd seen one world and transitioned to another. That was a jarring experience. Life was different. The food was different. And whilst they all shared a conglomerate of ideas, religious beliefs and the all-encompassing Warrior Code, they were divided by a cultural significance and the great divider: thought. Branchfall had his own ideals pressed together into an ugly mess. And patrols like theirs were only the sharp reminders of the messes that had been made. The manifestations of an old world compared to the new; life before and the death of an old family member. He just hoped to StarClan that he wouldn't run into the cats he knew best. Whether they were family or just old friends, it was the last thing he needed. Because of this, Branch came across as rather hasty. He was at the front of the group, checking everything and sniffing around as if he were in a rush. At the least, he tried to be thorough but couldn't hold himself up to the standards of a careful and detailed patroller. The first fifty heartbeats seemed to go off quite nicely. There wasn't an issue nor anything more than the faint scents of old reports. The roughened familiarity of a wild creature that skirted their territory was barely noticeable anymore, and so Branch breathed easily knowing that it wasn't anything cumbersome. Eventually, he grew tired of the silence between the three. It was deafening, getting in the way of his anxiety. The last thing he wanted was to silently stumble into a BirchClan patrol in the dead of morn. "Hey, Flamepelt," he began in a mumble, "can you just start talking about something? Anything at all? New rumours, news or things of interest? I'd really appreciate it."</s> <\|message\|>Silverflight Mentions: @Ambra Silverflight watched the patrols begin to disappear from the camp and follow out her given orders for the early part of the day. She let her eyes continue to trail lazily around camp as the daily routines began to pick up speed. Several of the other warriors who had been up earlier were settling down to rest and share tongues or find some other way to make themselves useful around camp. She already began planning out the evening patrols in her head, giving Tinypaw a nod as the apprentice pulled something from the pile for herself and presumably Eelpond. The sun had burned off the mist that hung across the camp and now there was a warm glow cast across the camp and warming her pelt. She closed her eyes briefly and allowed the warmth to scare away the lingering doubts and darker thoughts that plagued the valley. She saw Eelpond slip from Shadestar's den and head back to the medicine cat den. Hopefully the two medicine cats would get something from Starclan. They had been uncomfortably silent given the terrible things that had stricken each and every clan. She watched Shadestar follow shortly after Eelpond, a contemplative look on his face slipping into worry. She hoped their leader wasn't taking too much onto his own shoulders with the killings. Starclan knew he couldn't do more than he already was. She hoped that the naming of a new apprentice and the show of clan unity would drive away at least some of his concerns. "Morning Shadestar," she meowed as he approached, "Everything alright with the journey to Moonbrook?" Tensions were high and if there was something that might prevent them from communing with Starclan things would only get worse. "Nothing more we need to concern ourselves with I hope." Mentions: @skitts Nightpaw nodded at Dawnpelt's suggestion, "Sounds good to me," he trotted behind her and Froststorm as they began to head out of camp; shaking the water droplets off of his pelt as they dripped off the reeds, "If Irisstar decides to start something it would be good for us to be nearby." He kept his ears pricked as they padded past the quiet bubbling of the streams that weaved their way into the nearby lake. He saw a faint flash of scales underneath the water, but he didn't leap after it. If they were going to be out for some time he'd rather keep his paws dry of the cold water. Maybe he'd try to catch fish on the way back if they were still swimming about. The thought of getting mud caked in between his toes wasn't the most pleasing, but he wouldn't pass up the opportunity for their return journey. "Are we allowed to hunt on our way to the Oak Dens?" he asked towards Dawnpelt. He hoped to hear the quiet scuffle of small paws on the dirt or the ruffle of feathers indicating birds pecking around for seeds on the ground, but the nearby area was fairly silent. The slowly rising sun warmed his dark pelt and would hopefully lure the underground dwelling critters out into the light. He could feel the uncertain tension that ran through camp and tried to not let it get to him too much, but when the older warriors were nervous it made it difficult not to feel the same. He shook his head to clear out the thoughts and focus on what they were doing. The clan needed food and there was no way that they were going to come back empty pawed.</s>	<\|message\|>Shadekit -> Shadepaw -> Shadefish -> Shadestar Shadestar MENTIONS: Silverflight --- Shadestar glanced upwards at the new approach, slowly chewing his trout. Silverflight was an admirable deputy, and there was a lot that he liked about her. For one, she was capable enough to carry out deputy duties, which seemed simple enough, but he's heard stories of deputies being rather snobby and lazy. Luckily for him, and the rest of MistClan, Silverflight was showing that she had great potential to be leader one day. "Oh hello, Silver," he settled for using her nickname for now, mostly because his mouth was half-full. Her next words brought only more dread upon him, and he struggled to keep his tail from lashing. "I'm sure that Eelpond and Tinypaw will be fine. If there's a reason why StarClan's upset with us, then they should be able to reach out to Tinypaw, instead."</s>
<\|description\|>Rentarou "Ren" Kusabe Age: 16 Origin: Tokyo Japan, 2019 Appearance: ________________________________________ Level: 1 Health Points: 3000 Mana: 280 General Stats: • Strength - 340 • Endurance - 300 • Intellegence - 560 • Agility - 900 • Dexterity - 700 • Luck - 7200 Acquired Skills: • Translator Level 1 - translate foreign language to user's mother tongue, and vice versa. • Appraisal Level 3 - grants user access to view a specific target's stats. Futher leveling this skill will reveal other details on any desired target. • Bow Mastery Level 5 - enable user to use bow weapon. Futher leveling up this skill will improve accuracy and target locking. ---- • Double Strafe Level 1 - shoots a double bolt at a single target to deal a sure critical hit with each arrow. ---- • Eagle Eye Level 1 - grants ability to see through things at a distance. Extra • Kaireth's Blessing: Online Shop - grants user access to online shopping. User can order anything from the original world through this skill by using Kairelith's currency. Any machine (ex. anything ran by electricity) bought from Online Shop will automatically be converted to a magical tool, thus, instead of electricity, the item will be operated entirely by the user's mana. Some items will have additional effect once used in Kairelith, say, food purchased from Online Shop would add extra stats to whoever eats it for specific span of time. ______________________________________ Personality: Ren is a downright nerd to the very core. He easily loses his sh*t to anything game or anime related, especially lolis and cat ears. Sometimes, he can be pretty intense, but most times he is composed and always calculating, something he developed by playing games. Weak willed, but if someone he really cares about is in trouble, he'll definitely stick a neck out for that person without question. If anything, being reincarnated to a new world is kind of dream come true to him. It means he could start over a life he hasnt lived in the original world. He seems to be pretty enthusiastic about new discoveries, but a little wary for his own good. Short Background: Ren was a typical hikikomori — isolating himself from society and spending all his time in his room playing video games, all while maintaining little to no relationships outside. The only thing that probably connects him to the real world was the internet, and the occational visit to the convenient store. So when a game buddy invited him to attend Comiket, he instantly refuses, saying that he wouldn't last a minute out there — talk about a total shut in. But when he he heard that Mikumin, an idol he's been following for a while, is attending the event, he knew he had to make a big decision. Finally, at the day of the event, after much thought, Ren decided to go. There were so many people, more than he could have anticipated. Everything seems to be going well for him. When Mikumin went up on stage, as if queue, roars of cheers errupted from the crowd and waves of bodies cramped together began to sway at each note. Ren felt suffocated yet the experience was, to an extent, euphoric. He never felt so happy in his life. After the final set, something unexpected happened, Mikumin started to address the crowd and announced that she would like to acknowledge the presense of some Rentarou Kusabe among the sea of people. At first, Ren didn't believe what he heard, but then, his buddy began to nudge at him with a big grin on his face. He knew then he's up to something. Mikumin asked Ren to come up on stage, spotlight beaming down on him. Realizing the idol he admired so much has acknowledged his existence and even asked to join her up on that stage is too much for a complete shut in like him, not to mention the sheer pressure of becoming the center of attention for almost a hundred thousand people around him. The overwhelming feeling has spread through his entire being like a wild fire. The last thing he remembered that day was the floor giving away beneath him, the swirling lights, and then complete darkness. The next thing he knew is him waking up in vast plain with 3 other kids just as confuse as him. ________________________________________ Other: Ren's all time favorite game is pacman.</s> <\|message\|>Li Zhao 「李昭」 Li Zhao 「李昭」 Li Zhao 「李昭」 _____________________ _____________________ Location: Unknown, Froviel Empire Interacting With: Everyone Lv. 2 ❤ ┅┅┅┅┅ ┅┅┅┅┅ ┅┅┅┅┅ ┅┅┅┅┅_45000 ✦ ┅┅┅┅┅ ┅┅┅┅┅ ┅┅┅┅┅ ┅┅┅┅┅___800 STR 4500__\|__END 4500__\|__INT 1600__\|__AGL 1000__\|__DEX 400__\|__LCK 1000__ --- Zhao waded through the rising tide of kobolds, but no matter how many she slashed to pieces it felt like she was fighting the sea. She was so engrossed in hacking away at the relentless beasts, she almost didn't hear Ren announce his plans. There was that voice again, distracting her. She had no idea what it was, but there was no time to think about it. Her eyes flared with mana as she cast a glance in Ren's direction, and watched as his arrow nailed the Kobold Lord's foot to the ground. It seemed to move in slow motion as her eyes traced its path through the air. Meanwhile, the kobolds around her didn't miss the opening. They had given up trying to wound her, and instead clung to her legs and feet in a desperate attempt to slow her down. Realizing she had an opportunity to take on the monster directly, she tried jumping out of their grasp. The moment she kicked off the ground, she soared several meters into air and let out a panicked yelp. Her heart hammered in her chest as the ground fell away. She may have trained relentlessly to overcome her fear of battle, but she was still terrified of heights. She sailed over the kobold lord missing her mark, and the ground swelled toward her with increasing speed. Another helpless cry escaped her as she fell hard against the ground. Zhao reminded herself that she was much sturdier than before, and quickly leaped to her feet. At least she hadn't let go of her sword. When she looked back at the kobold lord, she noticed he was completely encased in ice. "One more try..." She looked across the battlefield at the other girl (@ERode) who had been fighting alongside her. "Aim for its head! We may not get another chance!" She shouted desperately. Zhao on the other hand had even more distance to cover than before. She wound herself into a tight stance, power building in her legs. The earth heaved beneath her feet as she kicked off the ground, and flew overhead once more. Twisting mid-air, she pointed her blade downward, aiming to strike its heart even as her own tried to leap out of her chest.</s> <\|message\|>Ying Yue Geng The bigger dogman, though bigger and better-armed, wasn't much of a threat at all, if only a couple arrows could take off a limb. Though it had some monstrous ability to grow back parts of its body, it was the novel sorcery of a weakling, undeserving of remark nor envy. What could such a creature do, after all, when it was forced to kneel from the weight of ice coating its body, from the arrows that pinned it to the ground? Nothing, hm? An ephemeral image upon the blood-drenched fields, Ying Yue continued to carve through flesh and bone, scarlet petals bursting as she passed. Her battle-sister leapt on ahead, a cloud of dust and an explosion of dirt in her wake as she sailed over the heads of the dogmen to engage their champion directly. A pincer attack? Well, there wasn't any real distinction to be earned through slaying a beast so frail; all the bladedancer wanted was to try out the monster's weapon. Discarding her sword, which had been reduced to a nicked and scraped mess after chopping through dozens, if not hundreds of dogmen, she closed in on the champion as well, the ice now having covered its body entirely. There would be no saving it from what came next. Using Ren's arrows as footholds, Ying Yue leapt up and grabbed the haft of the dogman's tomahawk with one hand. Knowledge, akin to epiphany and enlightenment, struck her. She could kill with this, and more than that, she could take this. With the momentum of her leap, she wrenched the weapon out of the monster's grasp, its frozen fingers shattering at the impact, and landed on its still-frosty arm. It would thaw in time; already, its eyes were moving frantically beneath the crystalline ice. But it was too late. Its heart was taken, and its head will soon follow. With the gravitas of an executioner tasked with the disposal of a common criminal, Ying Yue swung her tomahawk and removed its head.</s> <\|message\|>Erika Mae Wayne Location: Unknown, Froviel Empire Interating with: Everyone at the moment Erika bounced around the area, cutting through the small kobolds as she rushed towards the kobold lord. She matched the speed at which the two Chinese women proceeded towards the monster. She watched as arrows zipped through the kobold lord and she grinned as they hit. Her grin faltered when the flesh began to grow back as if nothing happened. Regeneration, was it? That's... not good. She only had a dagger with her but if they could find a weak spot- The archer called for all of them to attack together. It was then followed up by the dude with the two companions calling out that the kobold lord being frozen would increase their damage output. She quickly rushed forward - ahead of the two Chinese women and circled around the kobold lord who was being pelted with arrows. The enemy became frozen soon enough after a couple of hits from the mage. One aimed for the heart. Another aimed for the head. Leave something for someone with a dagger... She thought harmlessly to herself as she leaped onto the kobold lord's shoulder and driving her dagger into the kobold's body alongside the other two. She ducked her head so that she wouldn't get hit by the chord woman's strike and get decapitated alongside the kobold lord. That was the last thing she wanted to happen.</s>	<\|message\|>Rentarou "Ren" Kusabe Ren watched in awe at the flurry of attacks the other kids has started to throw at the Kobold Lord. The two Asian girls lead the charge, each taking turns in landing a direct hit at the monster. The kid with weird puppets started to cast ice magic at it, encasing the Kobold Lord in a gigantic sheet of ice, making the monster unable to move. The girl with the dagger, on the other hand, started to make her way towards the Kobold Lord's back waiting for an opportunity to strike. "At this point, it's regenerating ability should have a hard time keeping up with the damage it's taking." Ren thought, sending one arrow towards a Kobold Underling charging towards the puppet guy, the arrow connected, which immediately killed the target, "Damn, I'm not bad at this either." He thought, feeling a little proud of his skills. "Trigger Slash!" Shouted the old Knight right beside Ren. A bluish light suddenly shot from the Knight's sword, cutting 3 Kobold Underlings in front of him. "Focus now, lad! You don't want to get bitten by any of these buggers!" "U-um, y-yes sir!" Ren's completely forgotten about him. The old Knight looked battered. His once shiny armour, now covered in dirt and blood, he even lost his helmet. Ren noticed all the injured Knights are now huddled together in one place, and around them are piles of dead Kobold bodies. "Did he do all this by himself?" Ren thought admiring the old Knight's work, "He's been protecting the injured ones all this time." For some reason, Ren's first opinion about the Knight is starting to change. ________________________________________ The remaining Knights that can fight has flocked over to the 2 foreigners who lead the charge of the attack. The Knight with a huge shield took the vanguard while the Priestess supporting the rear. "Shields! Divert its attention from the Casters!" Shouted the Knight, raising his shield at the ready. "Support the foreigners at all cost!" The remaining Casters fall in line behind the Knights and started to chant. "Lesser Blessing!" "Lesser Protection Energy!" "Arcana Boost!" "Mana Essence!" "Penetrate Up!" "Lesser Acceleration!" "Lesser Healing!" Each kid glowed a different colour at the mention of the spells, each raising their stats one after the other. Once the Caster's done with the support spells, they started chanting offensive spells directed at the monster. A wide volley of spells began to fill the sky — ice, fire, water, light, and more others. ________________________________________ Ren felt his body respond to the spells that were casted on him. He can feel a new surge of energy welling within him, a tingling feeling right in his stomach. He can feel his strength and speed increased by a fraction, his senses heightened, everything from a mile away seems so much clearer. "So this is a buff spell, huh? Alright, let's try this." Ren took an arrow from his quiver. He can almost feel every fiber in the bow string tighten as he pulled, and for some reason Ren can tell which way the wind is blowing, and how strong it is. He is more focused now. "The chest. Right where the heart is." Ren breathed slowly. It almost seems like he gained binoculars with x-ray vision, he can clearly pinpoint where the monster's vital points are from the distance. "And then... Shoot." With a loud 'ffwisssh", the arrow sailed through the air with so much force it left a streak of black line mid-air, ravaging everything it passes through. After a heart beat, the arrow connected to its target with a loud crack. It pierced right through the Kobold Lord's chest, leaving a gapping hole from where it hit. The others started to do the same — direct hit towards the chest and the head. At this point, there was no time to regenerate its lost parts. The Kobold Lord let out a final howl of despair, shuddered and then fell face first into the ground. The Knights all cheered in excitement, even those injured ones. Ren heard the old Knight say thanks to the gods, and then gave Ren a reapproving smile. "It's finally over?" Ren asked out loud, the thought of them defeating a monster, much less a boss level, hasnt sinked in yet. "Indeed, lad. Indeed." The old Knight reassured him.</s>
<\|description\|>Erika Mae Wayne Age: 17 Origin: Vancouver, Canada [2012] ________________________________________ Level: 1 Health Points: 9850 Mana: 233 General Stats: • Strength - 1279 • Endurance - 985 • Intellegence - 466 • Agility - 1368 • Dexterity - 1325 • Luck - 699 Acquired Skills: • Translator Level 1 - translate foreign language to the user's mother tongue, and vice versa. • Dagger Mastery Level 7 - this gives the user the ability to use daggers and knives. Further leveling this up would allow the user to be more precise and deadly with their weapon. • Acrobatics Level 5 - this gives the user the ability to traverse through terrain without much trouble. Further leveling this up would allow the user to be able to traverse more and more impossible terrain as a shortcut or to evade attacks. Extra • Kaireth's Blessing: Gluttony - if user have this skill, leveling up would be impossible. User progress will be measured by Gluttony skill. By consuming monsters, or world items, user will gain partial stats from that target (original host parameter / 2 = gained stats). As an example, after user consumed a level 1 Slime with stats of Str 13, Edr 7, Int 4, Agi 10, Dex 5, Luk 8, he will receive +6.5 Str, +3.5 Edr, +2 Int, +5 Agi, +2.5 Dex, +4 Luk. Further leveling up this skill will unlock sub-skill Assimilation, allowing user to inherit some skill or attributes from consumed monsters/items. ______________________________________ Personality: Erika is a rather bubbly young woman - who had dreams and aspirations. She is a hard worker and would do everything in her power to get where she needs to be. She is a social butterfly and has networked plenty despite her young age. She loves capturing the beauty of the world - to stop time and space itself and place it into a photograph. This has been and will always be her passion. She has an adventurous spirit. She may not be academically inclined in any way shape or form - but she has a lot of street smarts. She is, however, very flighty. Aside from photography, she doesn't stick to anything. She has many friends, but none of them who really knows her for her. She comes and goes like the wind and people have come to accept her for that. This new world was a whiplash to her - but it was something new to explore. She looks forward to what will happen then. Short Background: Erika came from a rather well-off family so she never really had any worries about spending money or any such things. She loves to live life one day at a time and her love for photography had started when she was young and her father had gifted him a small camera when they visited the zoo. Ever since then, she always kept herself up to date with the latest cameras. She and her family traveled to other countries during every vacation and she always comes back with a new set of photos to showcase with her friends. A lot of people were amazed by these and Erika thrived in the attention they had given her pictures. She, too, find all of these very beautiful. One day, however, as she and her family were heading to Singapore - the plane began to malfunction. Smoke filled the cabin and the oxygen masks started coming down. Everyone was panicking and she grabbed the mask and her parents were telling her that everything would be fine. The plane descended way too quickly. She turned to look at the window and the water was coming up fast. Crash. She opened her eyes to see three other kids around her - just as confused as she was. ________________________________________ Other: -> Erika ran a photography blog before her death. It was well known around the photographer's circles and one of her regrets was leaving it behind. -> Erika was in a relationship with someone during the time that she died. She misses her dearly.</s> <\|message\|>Wrath Sam and Friends Sam gave a grin to his compatriots as they continued their assault upon the lord. The others who were teleported with him seemed to have enhanced abilities. One of his companions even played along with him. He moved in towards the foe with Greed and Wrath defending him against the horde of lesser kobolds. As he did though, one of the others revealed something irritating. Regeneration. "Well, that's just cheating..." he remarked, preparing a Ray, "Why don't you just cool off! He started blasting the Kobold Lord with rays of frost, however the damage done was being healed by the pesky regeneration. What wasn't being stopped was a layer of frost beginning to form around the beast. On the tenth or so shot, he was astonished as the kobold became entirely encased in ice, only to be broken out when someone else hit him. The result of which seemed to do far more damage. "Cool, the beams can freeze people!" Greed grinned, as he simultaneously shanked and pickpocketed a kobold trying to get near Sam. Wrath also silently noted his astonishment, though was preoccupied with his kobolds. For some reason (his shitty Luck) the Kobolds were attracted to him over his companions. Sam himself grinned, this had much potential. "HIT HIM WHEN HE'S FROZEN FOR EXTRA DAMAGE!" he yelled to the others, continuing to blast the big bastard.</s> <\|message\|>Li Zhao 「李昭」 Li Zhao 「李昭」 Li Zhao 「李昭」 _____________________ _____________________ Location: Unknown, Froviel Empire Interacting With: Everyone Lv. 2 ❤ ┅┅┅┅┅ ┅┅┅┅┅ ┅┅┅┅┅ ┅┅┅┅┅_45000 ✦ ┅┅┅┅┅ ┅┅┅┅┅ ┅┅┅┅┅ ┅┅┅┅┅___800 STR 4500__\|__END 4500__\|__INT 1600__\|__AGL 1000__\|__DEX 400__\|__LCK 1000__ --- Zhao waded through the rising tide of kobolds, but no matter how many she slashed to pieces it felt like she was fighting the sea. She was so engrossed in hacking away at the relentless beasts, she almost didn't hear Ren announce his plans. There was that voice again, distracting her. She had no idea what it was, but there was no time to think about it. Her eyes flared with mana as she cast a glance in Ren's direction, and watched as his arrow nailed the Kobold Lord's foot to the ground. It seemed to move in slow motion as her eyes traced its path through the air. Meanwhile, the kobolds around her didn't miss the opening. They had given up trying to wound her, and instead clung to her legs and feet in a desperate attempt to slow her down. Realizing she had an opportunity to take on the monster directly, she tried jumping out of their grasp. The moment she kicked off the ground, she soared several meters into air and let out a panicked yelp. Her heart hammered in her chest as the ground fell away. She may have trained relentlessly to overcome her fear of battle, but she was still terrified of heights. She sailed over the kobold lord missing her mark, and the ground swelled toward her with increasing speed. Another helpless cry escaped her as she fell hard against the ground. Zhao reminded herself that she was much sturdier than before, and quickly leaped to her feet. At least she hadn't let go of her sword. When she looked back at the kobold lord, she noticed he was completely encased in ice. "One more try..." She looked across the battlefield at the other girl (@ERode) who had been fighting alongside her. "Aim for its head! We may not get another chance!" She shouted desperately. Zhao on the other hand had even more distance to cover than before. She wound herself into a tight stance, power building in her legs. The earth heaved beneath her feet as she kicked off the ground, and flew overhead once more. Twisting mid-air, she pointed her blade downward, aiming to strike its heart even as her own tried to leap out of her chest.</s> <\|message\|>Ying Yue Geng The bigger dogman, though bigger and better-armed, wasn't much of a threat at all, if only a couple arrows could take off a limb. Though it had some monstrous ability to grow back parts of its body, it was the novel sorcery of a weakling, undeserving of remark nor envy. What could such a creature do, after all, when it was forced to kneel from the weight of ice coating its body, from the arrows that pinned it to the ground? Nothing, hm? An ephemeral image upon the blood-drenched fields, Ying Yue continued to carve through flesh and bone, scarlet petals bursting as she passed. Her battle-sister leapt on ahead, a cloud of dust and an explosion of dirt in her wake as she sailed over the heads of the dogmen to engage their champion directly. A pincer attack? Well, there wasn't any real distinction to be earned through slaying a beast so frail; all the bladedancer wanted was to try out the monster's weapon. Discarding her sword, which had been reduced to a nicked and scraped mess after chopping through dozens, if not hundreds of dogmen, she closed in on the champion as well, the ice now having covered its body entirely. There would be no saving it from what came next. Using Ren's arrows as footholds, Ying Yue leapt up and grabbed the haft of the dogman's tomahawk with one hand. Knowledge, akin to epiphany and enlightenment, struck her. She could kill with this, and more than that, she could take this. With the momentum of her leap, she wrenched the weapon out of the monster's grasp, its frozen fingers shattering at the impact, and landed on its still-frosty arm. It would thaw in time; already, its eyes were moving frantically beneath the crystalline ice. But it was too late. Its heart was taken, and its head will soon follow. With the gravitas of an executioner tasked with the disposal of a common criminal, Ying Yue swung her tomahawk and removed its head.</s>	<\|message\|>Erika Mae Wayne Location: Unknown, Froviel Empire Interating with: Everyone at the moment Erika bounced around the area, cutting through the small kobolds as she rushed towards the kobold lord. She matched the speed at which the two Chinese women proceeded towards the monster. She watched as arrows zipped through the kobold lord and she grinned as they hit. Her grin faltered when the flesh began to grow back as if nothing happened. Regeneration, was it? That's... not good. She only had a dagger with her but if they could find a weak spot- The archer called for all of them to attack together. It was then followed up by the dude with the two companions calling out that the kobold lord being frozen would increase their damage output. She quickly rushed forward - ahead of the two Chinese women and circled around the kobold lord who was being pelted with arrows. The enemy became frozen soon enough after a couple of hits from the mage. One aimed for the heart. Another aimed for the head. Leave something for someone with a dagger... She thought harmlessly to herself as she leaped onto the kobold lord's shoulder and driving her dagger into the kobold's body alongside the other two. She ducked her head so that she wouldn't get hit by the chord woman's strike and get decapitated alongside the kobold lord. That was the last thing she wanted to happen.</s>
<\|description\|>Ying Yue Geng 17 y/o \| Fujian, China. 1643 Level 10 STR 1500 \| END 750 \| INT 1500 \| AGI 3000 \| DEX 2250 \| LCK 1000 Acquired Skills Translator LVL 1 Enables understanding of all languages. Noble Pedigree LVL 1 Exudes an aura of charisma and authority befitting one of noble birth. Martial Intuition LVL 4 Quickens reflexes when in danger and grants instinctual understanding of other individuals' combative capabilities. One Hit Kill LVL 1 Increase critical hit chance and damage dealt on first attack upon an individual. Extra Skills Kaireth's Blessing: All Weapon Mastery LVL 10 Enables user to wield all types of weapon at its 100% potential regardless of mastery. Further leveling up this skill will unlock a sub-skill Weapon Copy, allowing the user to make a replica of any weapon they come in to contact with. Personality There is a haughtiness that exudes out from Ying Yue, a condescension that comes to her as natural as breathing. Her world, after all, was one of conflict and privilege, where the lives of the lesser are traded for prosperity and monuments. But rather than being malicious, the child is simply ignorant, having lived her entire life in her father's estate, her only moments of freedom found in visiting her betrothed's own estate. Her points of contact were her family and her servants, the former to be respected, the latter to be commanded, and, in one way or the other, Ying Yue remains emotionally stunted and repressed. But, sheltered, ignorant, and tactless as she is, something bright still blazes within her, fed by the stories written down upon the scrolls she's had to smuggle into her private study. A heart of that rages against injustice, a heart that fights for the powerless. The heart of a naïve child, who wishes to make the world a better place with nothing more than their fist and their spirit. Just like the heroes of yore. Just like a fantasy dreamt up in a fever. Short Backstory The world had changed, continues to change, and will change in the future, but from her birth to her sudden death, Ying Yue's life saw little of it. The eldest daughter of a middling aristocrat, her beautiful mahogany eyes were the only thing that elevated her above her siblings, and she was cared for like a doll in return. Feet bound to fit tiny, dainty slippers, watched and supervised day and night to prevent any accidents that would leave a mark, Ying Yue lived in isolation, her strange loneliness broken only when she became old enough to be betrothed, her aristocratic boredom dispersed only by the books she snuck out from a servant's room. Trashy, tasteless, violent books for the proles, sensational and with no educative value, but entertaining books nonetheless. She drowned in those stories, filling her mind with stupid thoughts and dreams, fantasies of a world beyond the walls of her family's estate, away from the designs of her ambitious father and her distant mother. Mere phantasms, flights of imagination to distract her from the life that continued barreling thoughtlessly towards her. One hazy, summer day, feverish and parched, Ying Yue dreamed of a world where she could be free and she never woke up again.</s> <\|message\|>Sam Moore / The Puppeteer Sam and Friends Sam slicked back his hair and pulled his goggles over his eyes. The lenses were made of a green glass that seemed to sparkle in the light. Giving a whistle, Greed immediately stopped stealing from the distracted and dying soldiers and rushed back to the Puppeteer's side. He actually had nicked a couple of knives that looked like swords in his diminutive paws. "Ladies and gentlemen, for the first time in this world, it's the Puppeteer's Pandemonium Pantomine, featuring my good friends Greed and Wrath. It's time to get things started..." As if moving to an invisible beat, the puppet's and their master began to dance through the kobolds, causing chaos as they proceeded to kill them with various slapstick methods. There was an unfortunate lack of props, but Kobolds found themselves sliding, tripping, and even getting into fights with each other, as the Puppeteer and his companions continued their dance. The Puppeteer paused for a moment to unpack that. So his friends were now Golems, whatever those were, and could gain skills by repetitive actions. Which would mean that the Golemancy skill- -okay, that skill brought the dynamite duo to life. Eh, no point thinking too hard right now, this is the middle of combat. And things had certainly shifted in the Kobolds favour, as an even uglier prick called the Kobold Lord had appeared. Sam turned to the others: "Time for the audience participation part of our show... can I get any volunteers?"</s> <\|message\|>Li Zhao 「李昭」 Li Zhao Location: Unknown, Froviel Empire Interacting With: Everyone --- The sound and fury of blades and shields clashing was all too familiar. Surveying the battle, Zhao could plainly see that the knights were being overwhelmed. The monsters seemed weak enough, in fact, dozens had been dispatched by the others that arrived with her. Her mistake was in overestimating the knights' strength. She knew her knowledge of this world was lacking, but watching the chaos made the shame burrow even deeper. She couldn't stand idle any longer, regardless of how much she wanted to protect the child next to her. @Sedjwick Fwish~ A twinge of pressure and a sharp, but mild pain throbbed at her thigh. Looking down, she noticed a small tear in her ceremonial dress and a stray arrow settling in the dirt at her feet. She stretched the fabric of her dress to inspect for wounds, but found none. There was only a small, red blemish on her skin where the arrow had struck her. Bewildered, she retrieved the arrow and held it before her. "It can't be..." She pressed her thumb against the sharpened tip of the arrowhead, but barely felt any pain at all. She pressed harder, wondering how much it would take for the arrow to break her skin, but the arrowhead broke off instead. The tip didn't cut her at all. Then she realized it. This was her blessing. A terrible howl sundered the air, ripping at Zhao's ears. Her eyes searched for the source, cutting through the dust in the air and found it: a grotesque creature, more mongrel than man, standing head and shoulders taller than any of the other kobolds. The morale of the knights seemed to hit rock bottom at the mention of a "Kobold Lord." She turned to Milo. "I'm sorry, but we won't make it out of this alive, if I don't help them. I promise I'll come back." Zhao sprinted towards the frontline, scavenging a sword from one of the fallen knights along the way. A two kobolds lunged at her as she drew near. They both fell to the ground in two bloody chunks as she cut them apart with her blade. She felt no resistance at all, it was like the kobold were made of air. Another one tried to ambush her, but she jabbed at it with a snapkick. It was like crushing eggshells as her foot connected with its chest. The kobold's body caved inward, and it let out a deathly wail as it flew several meters into the air and landed far out of sight. Interesting. Finding a gap in the front line, she charged through and overrunning any kobold that got in her way. She used the bare skin of her arm to block the rending claws and crushing bites, but all they did was tear at her clothes. Even if she could cut through them effortlessly, it did little to control their numbers. Dozens more were still flooding in. She shouted at the archer (Ren, @Travesty) she was watching earlier. "Hey you! Aim at the Kobold Lord! If we can kill their leader, these beasts may retreat." She turned to the knights on either side of her. "Close in the ranks behind me, I'm going to try drawing their attention away from you all." Zhao was no master swordswoman but no matter how imperfect her technique, her blade cleaved through any creature it cut. The sword felt so light in her hands, like holding a feather. Making wide swings, she began carving a path into the enemy vanguard while shouting and cursing them to draw their attention.</s>	<\|message\|>Ying Yue Geng Chaotic emotions, fear, anger, despair, suffused the trodden fields just as thickly as viscera and offal of men and monsters alike. They cried and they roared, stronger warriors falling against greater numbers, even as their leader tried what he could to bolster morale. And yet, even in this seething cauldron of conflict, Ying Yue danced unconcerned. Others may die, but she was above such paltry terrors, not even the blood of her foes having stained her form. The rope, once red with rich dyes, was now heavy with the lives it had taken, striking with ever-increasing force. One of the warriors called out towards her, and she turned to spare a smile. Some of them were worth keeping around, at least. The dead man's attitude didn't drip down into his men. An arrow whistled past, and her eyes followed as it practically vaporized three other dogmen. Her eyes shone. Let's try that. Fortunately, with the lines having been broken, there were plenty of dead archers for her to borrow from. Snatching up a quiver and a longbow, Ying Yue rolled under the swing of one kobold, hopped over the lunge of another kobold, and let out a breath. There it was again, that deathly certainty that told her that she could kill with this. The lady nocked three arrows, noted both the groan of the wood and the relative ease of her pull, and fired. A roar of wind, and the area right in front of her cleared up in an instant. She smiled, fired five more times, then frowned. Powerful, but boring. The bow was discarded without another thought, and Ying Yue pulled a sword out of the grasp of a headless knight instead. An artless construction, nothing like the weapons of yore, but the steel had been well-maintained. It sang as she flourished it, and thrummed when she turned towards the largest of the dogmen. "Do not fall to your knees so readily, woman," Ying Yue chided, mahogany gaze sliding sideways onto the priestess. "It would be pitiful if so few remain to attend your comrade's funeral." Already, her compatriot was leading a charge through the horde towards the big dogman, and Ying Yue ran to follow, a warrior's sword slipping through flesh and bone with such ease that the monsters only fell apart two seconds after she had passed. Soon, she was at the vanguard with Zhao, a wider smile on her face at the hilarity of the vulgarities that the woman spewed. Her gaze, however, was set solely on the big dogman's tomahawks. Let's try that.</s>
<\|description\|>Ying Yue Geng 17 y/o \| Fujian, China. 1643 Level 10 STR 1500 \| END 750 \| INT 1500 \| AGI 3000 \| DEX 2250 \| LCK 1000 Acquired Skills Translator LVL 1 Enables understanding of all languages. Noble Pedigree LVL 1 Exudes an aura of charisma and authority befitting one of noble birth. Martial Intuition LVL 4 Quickens reflexes when in danger and grants instinctual understanding of other individuals' combative capabilities. One Hit Kill LVL 1 Increase critical hit chance and damage dealt on first attack upon an individual. Extra Skills Kaireth's Blessing: All Weapon Mastery LVL 10 Enables user to wield all types of weapon at its 100% potential regardless of mastery. Further leveling up this skill will unlock a sub-skill Weapon Copy, allowing the user to make a replica of any weapon they come in to contact with. Personality There is a haughtiness that exudes out from Ying Yue, a condescension that comes to her as natural as breathing. Her world, after all, was one of conflict and privilege, where the lives of the lesser are traded for prosperity and monuments. But rather than being malicious, the child is simply ignorant, having lived her entire life in her father's estate, her only moments of freedom found in visiting her betrothed's own estate. Her points of contact were her family and her servants, the former to be respected, the latter to be commanded, and, in one way or the other, Ying Yue remains emotionally stunted and repressed. But, sheltered, ignorant, and tactless as she is, something bright still blazes within her, fed by the stories written down upon the scrolls she's had to smuggle into her private study. A heart of that rages against injustice, a heart that fights for the powerless. The heart of a naïve child, who wishes to make the world a better place with nothing more than their fist and their spirit. Just like the heroes of yore. Just like a fantasy dreamt up in a fever. Short Backstory The world had changed, continues to change, and will change in the future, but from her birth to her sudden death, Ying Yue's life saw little of it. The eldest daughter of a middling aristocrat, her beautiful mahogany eyes were the only thing that elevated her above her siblings, and she was cared for like a doll in return. Feet bound to fit tiny, dainty slippers, watched and supervised day and night to prevent any accidents that would leave a mark, Ying Yue lived in isolation, her strange loneliness broken only when she became old enough to be betrothed, her aristocratic boredom dispersed only by the books she snuck out from a servant's room. Trashy, tasteless, violent books for the proles, sensational and with no educative value, but entertaining books nonetheless. She drowned in those stories, filling her mind with stupid thoughts and dreams, fantasies of a world beyond the walls of her family's estate, away from the designs of her ambitious father and her distant mother. Mere phantasms, flights of imagination to distract her from the life that continued barreling thoughtlessly towards her. One hazy, summer day, feverish and parched, Ying Yue dreamed of a world where she could be free and she never woke up again.</s> <\|message\|>Ying Yue Geng The bigger dogman, though bigger and better-armed, wasn't much of a threat at all, if only a couple arrows could take off a limb. Though it had some monstrous ability to grow back parts of its body, it was the novel sorcery of a weakling, undeserving of remark nor envy. What could such a creature do, after all, when it was forced to kneel from the weight of ice coating its body, from the arrows that pinned it to the ground? Nothing, hm? An ephemeral image upon the blood-drenched fields, Ying Yue continued to carve through flesh and bone, scarlet petals bursting as she passed. Her battle-sister leapt on ahead, a cloud of dust and an explosion of dirt in her wake as she sailed over the heads of the dogmen to engage their champion directly. A pincer attack? Well, there wasn't any real distinction to be earned through slaying a beast so frail; all the bladedancer wanted was to try out the monster's weapon. Discarding her sword, which had been reduced to a nicked and scraped mess after chopping through dozens, if not hundreds of dogmen, she closed in on the champion as well, the ice now having covered its body entirely. There would be no saving it from what came next. Using Ren's arrows as footholds, Ying Yue leapt up and grabbed the haft of the dogman's tomahawk with one hand. Knowledge, akin to epiphany and enlightenment, struck her. She could kill with this, and more than that, she could take this. With the momentum of her leap, she wrenched the weapon out of the monster's grasp, its frozen fingers shattering at the impact, and landed on its still-frosty arm. It would thaw in time; already, its eyes were moving frantically beneath the crystalline ice. But it was too late. Its heart was taken, and its head will soon follow. With the gravitas of an executioner tasked with the disposal of a common criminal, Ying Yue swung her tomahawk and removed its head.</s> <\|message\|>Erika Mae Wayne Location: Unknown, Froviel Empire Interating with: Everyone at the moment Erika bounced around the area, cutting through the small kobolds as she rushed towards the kobold lord. She matched the speed at which the two Chinese women proceeded towards the monster. She watched as arrows zipped through the kobold lord and she grinned as they hit. Her grin faltered when the flesh began to grow back as if nothing happened. Regeneration, was it? That's... not good. She only had a dagger with her but if they could find a weak spot- The archer called for all of them to attack together. It was then followed up by the dude with the two companions calling out that the kobold lord being frozen would increase their damage output. She quickly rushed forward - ahead of the two Chinese women and circled around the kobold lord who was being pelted with arrows. The enemy became frozen soon enough after a couple of hits from the mage. One aimed for the heart. Another aimed for the head. Leave something for someone with a dagger... She thought harmlessly to herself as she leaped onto the kobold lord's shoulder and driving her dagger into the kobold's body alongside the other two. She ducked her head so that she wouldn't get hit by the chord woman's strike and get decapitated alongside the kobold lord. That was the last thing she wanted to happen.</s> <\|message\|>Rentarou "Ren" Kusabe Rentarou "Ren" Kusabe Ren watched in awe at the flurry of attacks the other kids has started to throw at the Kobold Lord. The two Asian girls lead the charge, each taking turns in landing a direct hit at the monster. The kid with weird puppets started to cast ice magic at it, encasing the Kobold Lord in a gigantic sheet of ice, making the monster unable to move. The girl with the dagger, on the other hand, started to make her way towards the Kobold Lord's back waiting for an opportunity to strike. "At this point, it's regenerating ability should have a hard time keeping up with the damage it's taking." Ren thought, sending one arrow towards a Kobold Underling charging towards the puppet guy, the arrow connected, which immediately killed the target, "Damn, I'm not bad at this either." He thought, feeling a little proud of his skills. "Trigger Slash!" Shouted the old Knight right beside Ren. A bluish light suddenly shot from the Knight's sword, cutting 3 Kobold Underlings in front of him. "Focus now, lad! You don't want to get bitten by any of these buggers!" "U-um, y-yes sir!" Ren's completely forgotten about him. The old Knight looked battered. His once shiny armour, now covered in dirt and blood, he even lost his helmet. Ren noticed all the injured Knights are now huddled together in one place, and around them are piles of dead Kobold bodies. "Did he do all this by himself?" Ren thought admiring the old Knight's work, "He's been protecting the injured ones all this time." For some reason, Ren's first opinion about the Knight is starting to change. ________________________________________ The remaining Knights that can fight has flocked over to the 2 foreigners who lead the charge of the attack. The Knight with a huge shield took the vanguard while the Priestess supporting the rear. "Shields! Divert its attention from the Casters!" Shouted the Knight, raising his shield at the ready. "Support the foreigners at all cost!" The remaining Casters fall in line behind the Knights and started to chant. "Lesser Blessing!" "Lesser Protection Energy!" "Arcana Boost!" "Mana Essence!" "Penetrate Up!" "Lesser Acceleration!" "Lesser Healing!" Each kid glowed a different colour at the mention of the spells, each raising their stats one after the other. Once the Caster's done with the support spells, they started chanting offensive spells directed at the monster. A wide volley of spells began to fill the sky — ice, fire, water, light, and more others. ________________________________________ Ren felt his body respond to the spells that were casted on him. He can feel a new surge of energy welling within him, a tingling feeling right in his stomach. He can feel his strength and speed increased by a fraction, his senses heightened, everything from a mile away seems so much clearer. "So this is a buff spell, huh? Alright, let's try this." Ren took an arrow from his quiver. He can almost feel every fiber in the bow string tighten as he pulled, and for some reason Ren can tell which way the wind is blowing, and how strong it is. He is more focused now. "The chest. Right where the heart is." Ren breathed slowly. It almost seems like he gained binoculars with x-ray vision, he can clearly pinpoint where the monster's vital points are from the distance. "And then... Shoot." With a loud 'ffwisssh", the arrow sailed through the air with so much force it left a streak of black line mid-air, ravaging everything it passes through. After a heart beat, the arrow connected to its target with a loud crack. It pierced right through the Kobold Lord's chest, leaving a gapping hole from where it hit. The others started to do the same — direct hit towards the chest and the head. At this point, there was no time to regenerate its lost parts. The Kobold Lord let out a final howl of despair, shuddered and then fell face first into the ground. The Knights all cheered in excitement, even those injured ones. Ren heard the old Knight say thanks to the gods, and then gave Ren a reapproving smile. "It's finally over?" Ren asked out loud, the thought of them defeating a monster, much less a boss level, hasnt sinked in yet. "Indeed, lad. Indeed." The old Knight reassured him.</s> <\|message\|>Wrath Sam and Friends Sam collapsed onto his butt as he watched the Kobold Lord meet his end. All around, the kobolds were fleeing like headless chickens as their leader was now gone. He felt winded by the exertion, like he had just ran a marathon. Yet, as he sat there he could already feel the warm chill reterning to him. Around him, he watched the others as they reacted to the death of the monster. Lust would definitely object to them bismirching the good name of wolves... if she wasn't stalking Wrath or trying to trottle Greed. And again, that strange voice from nowhere is telling him random stuff. Weird. --- Greed grinned as he stabbed the last brave kobold attacking him, and turned around to Wrath. "Man, that fight was hard. I almost broke a sweat there." Wrath said nothing. His left eye socket had a crude knife stuck in it, his body was covered in wounds, and he was bathed in the blood and brain matter of more than a dozen kobolds. Greed seemed not to notice this or Wrath's rising anger as he continued; "You know you should really put more effort in, like me." Everyone within earshot could hear a snapping sound. Wrath's remaining eye began to glow with an azure light as his anger reached it's inevitable climax. From behind his back he pulled, not a stick, but a holy hammer decorated in the style of the goddess. "YOU SON OF A BITCH, I'LL KILL YOU!" the extremely angry puppet yelled ashe began to chase the fox with the hammer. Greed, having survival instincts greater than your average shounen protagonist, booked it. "Save me Goddess!" he cried. "GET BACK HERE AND SUFFER DIVINE RETRIBUTION!!!"</s>	<\|message\|>Ying Yue Geng As Ying Yue cleaved through the dogman's neck, a barrage of noises sudden rang through her head, causing her to flinch slightly. What was truly uncanny was that she understood all those words, and yet still couldn't make sense of it. Her body, thankfully, informed her more about her current capabilities. Rather than being more tired, she felt energized from the defeat of the monster, even stronger than before. So strong, even, that the head that she had cleaved off the beast's shoulder was still spinning in the air, having flown a full fifty meters up into the air once she had struck it. Watching its arc and determining its destination, Ying Yue raised her brows very slightly at the pale-skinned woman who stood right at it. She pointed up, the only warning that Erika would have about the massive kobold head that was about to fall on her own head, before gingerly hopping off the frost-covered corpse of the dogman. The stint with killing all these evil spirits and realizing just how powerful she was had done wonders to her mood. If things kept up, maybe the dead man won't die after all. Maybe. Those wooden creatures scrambling about the battlefield though, causing no small amount of ruckus? They were less charming than a grumpy old man who was willing to put his own life on the line for the sake of his younger subordinates, and the dogman's tomahawk wasn't all that interesting after all. With a casual flick of her hand, she hurled the massive weapon towards Wrath, the steel blur bisecting the creature length-wise and cratering into the ground. Ying Yue's gaze settled onto the one that had been running away and she placed her finger on her lips. Puppets were best off quiet, after all. Though that hammer...wonder what I could do with that?</s>
<\|description\|>Ying Yue Geng 17 y/o \| Fujian, China. 1643 Level 10 STR 1500 \| END 750 \| INT 1500 \| AGI 3000 \| DEX 2250 \| LCK 1000 Acquired Skills Translator LVL 1 Enables understanding of all languages. Noble Pedigree LVL 1 Exudes an aura of charisma and authority befitting one of noble birth. Martial Intuition LVL 4 Quickens reflexes when in danger and grants instinctual understanding of other individuals' combative capabilities. One Hit Kill LVL 1 Increase critical hit chance and damage dealt on first attack upon an individual. Extra Skills Kaireth's Blessing: All Weapon Mastery LVL 10 Enables user to wield all types of weapon at its 100% potential regardless of mastery. Further leveling up this skill will unlock a sub-skill Weapon Copy, allowing the user to make a replica of any weapon they come in to contact with. Personality There is a haughtiness that exudes out from Ying Yue, a condescension that comes to her as natural as breathing. Her world, after all, was one of conflict and privilege, where the lives of the lesser are traded for prosperity and monuments. But rather than being malicious, the child is simply ignorant, having lived her entire life in her father's estate, her only moments of freedom found in visiting her betrothed's own estate. Her points of contact were her family and her servants, the former to be respected, the latter to be commanded, and, in one way or the other, Ying Yue remains emotionally stunted and repressed. But, sheltered, ignorant, and tactless as she is, something bright still blazes within her, fed by the stories written down upon the scrolls she's had to smuggle into her private study. A heart of that rages against injustice, a heart that fights for the powerless. The heart of a naïve child, who wishes to make the world a better place with nothing more than their fist and their spirit. Just like the heroes of yore. Just like a fantasy dreamt up in a fever. Short Backstory The world had changed, continues to change, and will change in the future, but from her birth to her sudden death, Ying Yue's life saw little of it. The eldest daughter of a middling aristocrat, her beautiful mahogany eyes were the only thing that elevated her above her siblings, and she was cared for like a doll in return. Feet bound to fit tiny, dainty slippers, watched and supervised day and night to prevent any accidents that would leave a mark, Ying Yue lived in isolation, her strange loneliness broken only when she became old enough to be betrothed, her aristocratic boredom dispersed only by the books she snuck out from a servant's room. Trashy, tasteless, violent books for the proles, sensational and with no educative value, but entertaining books nonetheless. She drowned in those stories, filling her mind with stupid thoughts and dreams, fantasies of a world beyond the walls of her family's estate, away from the designs of her ambitious father and her distant mother. Mere phantasms, flights of imagination to distract her from the life that continued barreling thoughtlessly towards her. One hazy, summer day, feverish and parched, Ying Yue dreamed of a world where she could be free and she never woke up again.</s> <\|message\|>Li Zhao 「李昭」 Li Zhao 「李昭」 Li Zhao 「李昭」 _____________________ _____________________ Location: Unknown, Froviel Empire Interacting With:@Sedjwick Lv. 10 ❤ ┅┅┅┅┅ ┅┅┅┅┅ ┅┅┅┅┅ ┅┅┅┅┅ ✦ ┅┅┅┅┅ ┅┅┅┅┅ ┅┅┅┅┅ ┅┅┅┅┅ STR 23000__\|__END 23000__\|__INT 2000__\|__AGL 3000__\|__DEX 1000__\|__LCK 1000__ --- Cool winds blew down from the mountain, a calming breeze as Zhao regarded the old knight with a tired stare, the kind of expressionless gaze she always used when dealing with troublesome people. She didn't dislike these knights, and even if they were no longer suspicious of her and the others, she was still suspicious of them. Serving in her father's army gave her a window into their mind. She sympathized with them. Who wouldn't be on edge if they had to regularly contend with monsters like the Kobold Lord. But somehow... hearing thanks and praise didn't improve her mood. It was obvious the knight captain was being earnest, but as he stumbled through his apology, her gaze wandered. Many of the knights were busy moving bodies, and chanting prayers. The reality of how many died began to sink in. Pity and despair twisted inside her, forming a dense pit in her stomach. She didn't know any of them, but she felt terrible all the same. What a waste... She drew in a quiet breath, composing herself, and addressed the old knight with as much courtesy as she could muster. "You acted with integrity and courage in the face of terrible danger, and for that you have my respect. We may be strangers still, but as it is my hope we can continue as allies." She said with a slight bow. "Your kind words and hospitality are appreciated, but there still work for me to do here. Please excuse me." Zhao turned on her heel as the knight vanished into a sliver of light. So much had happened it was enough to make anyone's head spin. She could feel the tension building into a headache. Nevertheless, she had made a promise to that child and she intended to keep it. Her feet carried to the center of the field where they had all appeared and she looked around for signs of the boy, but it was near impossible to find anything in the tall grass. She heaved a sigh and stared listlessly at the heavens, praying silently for guidance. The blue sky loomed above, and floating among the clouds was great hawk. "Ah..." Higher ground provided many advantages, she remembered, perhaps she could find him more easily that way. However, gently sloping hills surrounded her in every direction. Her heart sank, when she realized a way to solve it. Memories of her father speaking of the Tao came rushing in. She could hear her father's voice saying 'Mastering yourself is the path to true power'. She scowled at the hawk with bitter resignation. With a groan, Zhao widened her stance and lowered into a crouch, building power in her legs as she had done before. Her heart hammered in her chest. Be still, she told herself repeatedly. The ground cratered beneath her as she flew into the air. When she reached the apex of her jump, she ventured a look down and noticed the hawk was only a few meters away. Her fear of heights struck fast and hard, like an anvil against her chest. She let out a small cry and gulped hard as she began to plummet back down. Her eyes frantically scanned the nearby hills, using her fear to focus and look for any sign of the boy. "There!" Several hilltops away, she could see kobolds fleeting a small, shaggy-haired person standing in the tall grass. That had to be him, she thought as she braced for impact. The landing was hard and unpleasant. She skidded to halt as her feet dug trenches into the hillside and threw a cloud of dirt into the air. She drew in a few long breaths to calm herself and took a few awkward steps. Her legs felt stiff and her knees ached. She worked through the pain and started sprinting in the boy's direction, all the while dreading the thought of having do anything like that again. "Fear resistance? What a cheeky Goddess..." She thought. After cresting a tall hill, she found him walking aimlessly amidst the grass, and rushed to him. "Are you hurt?" She asked, somewhat out of breath, and inspected him from head to toe. Her expression softened once she realized he didn't have an obvious injuries. "It was wrong of me to leave you behind. I didn't realize those knights wouldn't be able to keep you safe. On my honor as Princess Zhao of Pingyang, I swear to protect you, so please come back to camp with me." She paused for a moment. "Although... It's probably for the best, if you just call me Zhao for the time being." She offered hand, and smiled softly. "Since I've given you my name, why don't you tell me yours?"</s> <\|message\|>Milo Thomas Milo Thomas Milo was lost. This fact was as plain as the nose on the young boy's face. No matter what direction he looked, everything that he could see looked exactly the same. It didn't help that he was only four feet tall, and that if he would actually stand up straight. His poor posture took his actual height down a few inches, and this short stature meant that he couldn't see very far in any direction. He looked around, seeing nothing but the same field that he had been in since waking up in this strange world. None of the soldiers or other strangers were anywhere to be seen, and Milo guessed he had probably been forgotten. The other strangers had fought against the kobolds. Milo had run away. It was all he knew how to do. He couldn't fight, and so he ran. That had always been his life. But now, he was hopelessly lost in some strange world with no idea what to do or where to go. Perhaps it had been foolish to run like he had when those kobolds broke through the lines and came after him, but it was either that or try to fight them and likely get killed in the process. His self-preservation instincts were still very much intact, and thus he had chosen the option that offered, in his estimation, the greater chance of survival, however temporary. Unfortunately, this option had now left him lost and forgotten, and so he was likely to die anyway, just slightly later than he would have if it had been at the paws of the kobolds. Once again, he wondered why he had been brought to this world if only to die a second time. As Milo pondered these thoughts, he saw a figure fly up into the air. It looked like a human, but Milo had never known a human that had the ability to fly. Maybe things were different in this world? Maybe he could jump into the air and fly? He really didn't want to test that in case he couldn't fly and merely ended up crashing and hurting himself. And anyway, the flying person may not have actually been flying - Milo had only caught a quick glimpse of the figure before it fell back below the horizon, after all. Then the ground shook slightly, and Milo looked around to see what new terror was approaching. At first, he could see nothing, and then he saw one of the strangers from earlier rush to him. This was the same one that had promised to protect him. She had also promised to find him again just before she left to fight the Kobold Lord. Judging by how relieved she looked to have found him, that was the very reason she was coming this way. The woman asked Milo if he was hurt, then looked him over for injuries herself before he even had a chance to say that he was fine, aside from being hungry. She had then proceeded to apologize to Milo for leaving him behind, even though Milo had really been the one to leave her and the others behind when he ran from the kobolds; swore to protect Milo, which she really didn't need to do; and asked him to come back to camp with her. Milo took the hand she offered as she asked for his name. "M'name's Milo, Princess ma'am," he answered as they began walking back towards the site of the battle against the kobolds. It seemed all danger had passed from the area for the time being, for which Milo was grateful as he really didn't want to run into any more kobolds or whatever else was around in this field that might want to kill him.</s>	<\|message\|>Ying Yue Geng Those two knights, though, weren't the only people privy to watching Erika's gluttony in action. Having only stepped off the dogman's corpse, Ying Yue was morbidly entertained by the display before her. At speeds that looked like she was inhaling rather than eating, the pale-skinned woman thoughtlessly consumed raw flesh, stripping meat from bone with haphazard technique. It was fascinating to see, and Ying Yue certainly didn't allow her gaze to stray as this wild woman reduced such a massive corpse to half the dogman it used to be. Organs were slurped up like noodles, and even the offal was devoured with efficiency. And at the end of all that, the pale-skinned woman didn't even look like she was all that full. Certainly, the appetites of these white devils matched their monikers. Ying Yue was even a bit jealous. She'd have never been allowed to eat so much. Maybe she was missing out on something? Full-armored warriors came by, reporting something about having to return now, and how they were gathering up corpses too, of both their comrades and their enemies. Were they also going to eat it? Was it, perhaps, even a delicacy for the Europeans? Ying Yue frowned and then, as the two knights began to drag the remains of the dogman away, she took her tomahawk and shaved off a meaty sliver of thigh. It looked grisly and nasty, but never let it be said that Ying Yue Geng was against sampling differing meals. The eastern islanders ate raw fish, and the barbarians up north drank the blood and milk of mares. Perhaps far west, the meat of the slain was something else quite enjoyable? She popped it into her mouth, chewed once, and then spat it back out. Damn, she ate this? The dark-haired girl spat out a couple more times, wishing that she had some water to wash out the taste of blood and stringy meat with. She looked back at the wild woman, who now looked to be talking to the islander, before storming right on over, physically and verbally barging into the conversation "You," Ying Yue called out, locking eyes with Erika immediately. "Have you never eaten real food before? That was indescribably foul."</s>
<\|description\|>Milo Thomas Age: 10 Origin: London, England, 1899 Appearance: Milo is small and thin for his age, even by the standards of lower class Victorian England. This is partly due to his natural build, but is more due to being born to a dirt poor family and being underfed as a result. Milo barely reaches 4 feet in height, but his poor posture makes him seem shorter. He is rail thin, and if you were to take his shirt off, you would be able to clearly see each of his ribs. He is filthy and his skin is very pale from being covered with what may be a permanent layer of grime. His blond hair is on the long side and black with filth (mostly soot), sitting in a rat's nest on top of his head and serving as home to more than a few fleas and who knows what else. His face is gaunt and narrow with dull green eyes and sunken cheeks as well as some premature wrinkles and worry lines (faint, but visible). ________________________________________ Level: 1 Health Points: 5,000 Mana: 700 General Stats: • Strength - 400 • Endurance - 500 • Intelligence - 1,400 • Agility - 900 • Dexterity - 800 • Luck - 1,000 Acquired Skills: • Translator Level 1 • Brawler Level 1 (Increases damage dealt by character without an equipped weapon. Also allows use of Fist Weapons.) • Run Away Level 1 (Increases chances of escaping from difficult battles) Extra • Kaireth's Blessing: All Elemental Affinity - enable user to use all elemental magic at its 100% potential regardless of mastery. Further leveling up this skill will unlock a sub-skill Savant, allowing user to automatically learn a magic spell just by seeing it being executed. _____________________________________ Personality: In his old world and life, Milo did not have a particularly happy existance. He wasn't necessarily miserable as he had two loving parents who always did as much as they could for him, but his lot in life was also not one of joy. He is quiet and reserved, having learned to do his job quietly and without complaint and to make sure anybody bigger than him didn't see the few shillings he earned every day if he hoped to keep them. He remains quiet and shy among those he doesn't know, but he is rather surprised to find himself alive in this unfamiliar world and wonders if this isn't the heaven that Blake wrote about in his poem of the Chimney Sweeper from his Songs of Experience. Short Background: Milo was born in the year 1889 in London, England to a poor family. His parents could hardly afford to support themselves, let alone a child, but they loved Milo to death. Still, love does not put food on the table, and Milo's parents' jobs hardly did any better. There were many nights when all three Thomases would go to bed hungry for want of money to buy food. To try to make enough money just to survive, Milo took to sweeping chimneys at the age of 7. His small size, like all the other boys who swept chimneys, made it easy for him to fit into the chimneys to sweep them. Unfortunately, chimney sweeping is a hazardous job, and by the age of 9, Milo suffered from lung disease due to all the soot he was constantly inhaling from the chimneys he cleaned. By the age of 10 lung disease, malnutrition, and other health problems claimed young Milo's life.</s> <\|message\|>Ying Yue Geng Chaotic emotions, fear, anger, despair, suffused the trodden fields just as thickly as viscera and offal of men and monsters alike. They cried and they roared, stronger warriors falling against greater numbers, even as their leader tried what he could to bolster morale. And yet, even in this seething cauldron of conflict, Ying Yue danced unconcerned. Others may die, but she was above such paltry terrors, not even the blood of her foes having stained her form. The rope, once red with rich dyes, was now heavy with the lives it had taken, striking with ever-increasing force. One of the warriors called out towards her, and she turned to spare a smile. Some of them were worth keeping around, at least. The dead man's attitude didn't drip down into his men. An arrow whistled past, and her eyes followed as it practically vaporized three other dogmen. Her eyes shone. Let's try that. Fortunately, with the lines having been broken, there were plenty of dead archers for her to borrow from. Snatching up a quiver and a longbow, Ying Yue rolled under the swing of one kobold, hopped over the lunge of another kobold, and let out a breath. There it was again, that deathly certainty that told her that she could kill with this. The lady nocked three arrows, noted both the groan of the wood and the relative ease of her pull, and fired. A roar of wind, and the area right in front of her cleared up in an instant. She smiled, fired five more times, then frowned. Powerful, but boring. The bow was discarded without another thought, and Ying Yue pulled a sword out of the grasp of a headless knight instead. An artless construction, nothing like the weapons of yore, but the steel had been well-maintained. It sang as she flourished it, and thrummed when she turned towards the largest of the dogmen. "Do not fall to your knees so readily, woman," Ying Yue chided, mahogany gaze sliding sideways onto the priestess. "It would be pitiful if so few remain to attend your comrade's funeral." Already, her compatriot was leading a charge through the horde towards the big dogman, and Ying Yue ran to follow, a warrior's sword slipping through flesh and bone with such ease that the monsters only fell apart two seconds after she had passed. Soon, she was at the vanguard with Zhao, a wider smile on her face at the hilarity of the vulgarities that the woman spewed. Her gaze, however, was set solely on the big dogman's tomahawks. Let's try that.</s> <\|message\|>Erika Mae Wayne Location: Unknown, Froviel Empire Interating with: Everyone at the moment [@Travesty @Ryteb Pymeroce] Being swept away by the thrill of battle and never before felt strength, Erika wasn't as aware of her surroundings as the others. She turned around, eyes wide and knowing that it would be far too late to defend when an arrow pierced through the kobold - and decimated two others. Erika stumbled backwards a bit in pure awe. Whoa. It was something different to see it so close instead of seeing it from afar with the lady with the cord. She jerked into motion as a wayward kobold lunged at her and she drove the dagger into the back of its neck and pulled out. She headed towards Ren, who seemed astounded by what had just happened. She held out a hand to him to help him stand up. Erika gave him a bright grin in response to his question. "Thanks to you I am!" Once he grasped her hand, she would pull him up with surprisingly little effort. Must be the goddess at work again. "Hey, you mentioned stats or something. Do you think-" She stopped herself when she looked back to where the cord woman had been continuing her rampage with other soldiers. The diplomatic woman has also taken the lead as she charged into the thick of things. "They're so cool, aren't they?" Erika nudged Ren with her elbow as she flipped the dagger in her hand. "We have to talk later about these stats. For now, we got something else to worry about." It would seem that a powerful monster had appeared and that was what the two women were heading towards. The mage from earlier had also been asking for volunteers of some sort. "We got an interesting bunch with us huh? Cover us. And the kid." Erika tilted her head to the direction of the young one that the diplomatic woman had left. Indeed, the fast they get this over with, the safer everyone would be. She patted the guy's shoulder and rushed towards the others. She weaved through the kobolds, slicing through them as she did and came to a stop near the eccentric man and his puppets. "You already got some volunteers man!" Erika called out to him and gestured to the two women advancing to the kobold lord. She backflipped to avoid one of the kobold strikes and would have been stunned that she did such a nimble action, but there was no time to think about that as she rushed forward and stabbed the kobold. It was clear that she wouldn't be able to match them in terms of pure destructive abilities but she could probably aid them in distracting the kobold lord for them to finish off.</s>	<\|message\|>Milo Thomas As the kobolds attacked, Milo was surprised to see some of the other strangers jump into the fray. He was even more surprised when he realized that these strangers were not only holding their own against the monsters; they were outperforming the trained soldiers in killing the wolf creatures. He also noticed one of the strange puppets running amongst the soldiers, picking their pockets as deftly as any street urchin in London. Milo remembered his friend Jack was particularly skilled at lifting anything of value from its owner, and only Milo's familiarity with such actions allowed him to recognize the same movements being performed by the puppet. Chaos was all around, and Milo didn't know what to do. He couldn't fight (or at least the scraps he had gotten into back in London had always ended badly for him), and he didn't have any other useful skills aside from running away, which wouldn't do him much good since all around was a vast field that was apparently infested with monsters, so if he did manage to escape these kobolds, he would likely end up getting lost and killed by some other monster. Maybe this was Hell after all? Not exactly fire and brimstone like the preacher talked about every Sunday, but it was certainly frightening enough with so many monsters wanting to kill them. As Milo was processing all this, one of the other strangers approached. Milo felt his legs tensing to run, but before he could, she knelt and put an arm on his shoulder. Her reassuring words and charisma caused Milo to relax, and he gave her a small smile. "Thank you, ma'am," he said as he watched the battle progress from bad to worse. The knights were falling to the kobolds far too quickly, and even though the other strangers were joining in the fight and doing as much against the monsters as ten knights, it still wasn't enough. And then came a howl that chilled Milo to the bone. Whatever had made that sound, Milo didn't want to find out. Suddenly, his eyes were back to darting around in fear, looking for any gap that he could slip through to get away from this terror. It looked like all the other strangers were joining in the fight in their own way. Even the puppet that had been picking the pockets of the soldiers had returned to the side of the other puppet and the young man that seemed to be their master (just how that relationship worked, Milo wasn't sure, but the young man was certainly the ringleader of the trio). Milo was left all alone in the middle of a battlefield with no useful skills, and the monsters still seemed to be getting the best of them. The other strangers seemed to be focusing on the huge monster that had just appeared on the battlefield: a giant version of the wolf monsters that were assailing them. And as the strangers shifted their focus to this larger threat, the smaller ones began to break through the front lines, beyond which Milo was alone and vulnerable. The monsters, the carnage, the noise, the strangeness; it was more than Milo could bear. And so, he did the one thing he knew best: he ran. The action was instinct after so many run-ins with street urchins and chimney sweepers that were desperate enough to beat another of their own to within an inch of their life for even a single shilling. Milo simply turned and bolted before his brain had even fully processed what was happening. As his feet carried him away from the advancing monsters just as fast as they could, that voice in his head spoke up again. Run Away Level1!? Milo thought as he continued to run. What does that even mean? He risked a glance back and realized that the kobolds that were pursuing him were falling behind. Is that what Run Away Level 1 does? he wondered, hoping for some sort of explanation from the voice in his head, but the voice had been rather short on explanations, thus far, so Milo wasn't going to hold his breath for an explanation this time. He just kept running.</s>
<\|description\|>Milo Thomas Age: 10 Origin: London, England, 1899 Appearance: Milo is small and thin for his age, even by the standards of lower class Victorian England. This is partly due to his natural build, but is more due to being born to a dirt poor family and being underfed as a result. Milo barely reaches 4 feet in height, but his poor posture makes him seem shorter. He is rail thin, and if you were to take his shirt off, you would be able to clearly see each of his ribs. He is filthy and his skin is very pale from being covered with what may be a permanent layer of grime. His blond hair is on the long side and black with filth (mostly soot), sitting in a rat's nest on top of his head and serving as home to more than a few fleas and who knows what else. His face is gaunt and narrow with dull green eyes and sunken cheeks as well as some premature wrinkles and worry lines (faint, but visible). ________________________________________ Level: 1 Health Points: 5,000 Mana: 700 General Stats: • Strength - 400 • Endurance - 500 • Intelligence - 1,400 • Agility - 900 • Dexterity - 800 • Luck - 1,000 Acquired Skills: • Translator Level 1 • Brawler Level 1 (Increases damage dealt by character without an equipped weapon. Also allows use of Fist Weapons.) • Run Away Level 1 (Increases chances of escaping from difficult battles) Extra • Kaireth's Blessing: All Elemental Affinity - enable user to use all elemental magic at its 100% potential regardless of mastery. Further leveling up this skill will unlock a sub-skill Savant, allowing user to automatically learn a magic spell just by seeing it being executed. _____________________________________ Personality: In his old world and life, Milo did not have a particularly happy existance. He wasn't necessarily miserable as he had two loving parents who always did as much as they could for him, but his lot in life was also not one of joy. He is quiet and reserved, having learned to do his job quietly and without complaint and to make sure anybody bigger than him didn't see the few shillings he earned every day if he hoped to keep them. He remains quiet and shy among those he doesn't know, but he is rather surprised to find himself alive in this unfamiliar world and wonders if this isn't the heaven that Blake wrote about in his poem of the Chimney Sweeper from his Songs of Experience. Short Background: Milo was born in the year 1889 in London, England to a poor family. His parents could hardly afford to support themselves, let alone a child, but they loved Milo to death. Still, love does not put food on the table, and Milo's parents' jobs hardly did any better. There were many nights when all three Thomases would go to bed hungry for want of money to buy food. To try to make enough money just to survive, Milo took to sweeping chimneys at the age of 7. His small size, like all the other boys who swept chimneys, made it easy for him to fit into the chimneys to sweep them. Unfortunately, chimney sweeping is a hazardous job, and by the age of 9, Milo suffered from lung disease due to all the soot he was constantly inhaling from the chimneys he cleaned. By the age of 10 lung disease, malnutrition, and other health problems claimed young Milo's life.</s> <\|message\|>Li Zhao 「李昭」 Li Zhao 「李昭」 Li Zhao 「李昭」 _____________________ _____________________ Location: Unknown, Froviel Empire Interacting With: Everyone Lv. 10 ❤ ┅┅┅┅┅ ┅┅┅┅┅ ┅┅┅┅┅ ┅┅┅┅┅_230000 ✦ ┅┅┅┅┅ ┅┅┅┅┅ ┅┅┅┅┅ ┅┅┅┅┅___1000 STR 23000__\|__END 23000__\|__INT 2000__\|__AGL 3000__\|__DEX 1000__\|__LCK 1000__ --- An onslaught of chiming voices rang in her head, more nonsense about levels and skills. Ignoring them was a struggle. The methodical and steady precession of strikes kept the distracting thoughts at bay. Every ounce of her anxiety had been buried beneath a savage rhythm. Slash. Cleave. Reverse. Slash. Backstep. Lunge. Repeat. Each stroke was heavy and bit deep into Kobold Lord, peeling back flesh and carving into bone. Frozen gore shattered under her strength and bloodied flecks of ice clung to her skin and tattered clothes. Magic power strengthened her swing as she backhanded and kicked away any kobold still suicidal enough to approach her. In less than a minute, the monstrous leader had been defeated. When Zhao finally paused to take stock of the battlefield around her, she realized the casualties were grave. Her grip on her sword loosened as she felt the tension leave her body. Her skin felt warm, wet. She looked down and noticed dark stains of bloody ichor had melted into her ceremonial dress. Disgust pulled her lips into a scowl, and she let out a tired sigh. She saw many of the knights were dead or injured, many wearing a hollow expression she was uncomfortably familiar with. Her chest felt heavy seeing them. Looking around, she didn't see the young boy from before (@Sedjwick)."He's gone?" She dashed towards one of the healers nearby. "Excuse me, doctor? Have you seen the young boy who was traveling with us? Is he injured?" Having been concentrating on her spell, the priestess was taken aback at first, and offered Zhao a bewildered look. After a brief, but awkward silence she eventually stammered out a reply. "Uh... No, I haven't seen him at all. He's not among the dead, I know that." She added. Worry creased her brow as Zhao stared at the nearby treeline. "I hope he's safe..." She said. The disappointment in her voice was obvious. The priestess nodded and force a smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. "We'll do our best to find him." Her hands glowed softly as she returned to healing the fallen knight. A stream if brilliant color stole Zhao's attention. She looked in amazement as faint, shimmering blue light radiated from the priestess' hands and flowed through the knight like a drops of dye being carried along by a river's current. Tendrils of black miasma curled away from him as a light within the core of his body began to shine brighter. "What is that?" "Hunh? what are you talking about? Actually, nevermind. I'm trying to concentrate, so please step away." The priestess said irritably. Although she knew she hadn't seen anything like this before, questions piled up endlessly and tied her tongue. She stared dumbly at the spectacle, a pale glow in her eyes as she briefly wondered why the healer didn't take notice. She looked around, noticing the same blue flame burning inside each person. Some dimmer or brighter than others. She shut her eyes hard, confused and flustered, but when she opened them again the ethereal blue energies were nowhere to be seen. She shook her head, and composed herself, remembering that none of them were safe quite yet. She marched toward the old knight. "Now that the battle is over, Sir Knight,do you still intend to arrest us as spies? If you allow everyone to regroup and rest first, I doubt you'll hear a word of complaint." She nodded towards the wounded knights littering the ground nearby. You have reached level 10! Sword Mastery level 4 acquired! Charisma level 3 acquired! Mystic Eyes level 7 acquired! New ability unlocked. New skill 'Hordebreaker' acquired! New skill 'Steadfast' acquired!</s> <\|message\|>Erika Mae Wayne Location: Unknown, Froviel Empire Interating with: Erika wasn't sure if it was the surge of buffs that the knights had given them or if it was their own capabilities or if it was both, but the kobold leader fell - the area where his heart should be was completely eradicated and the blades of both her and Zhao had been the thing that was visible in the area. It was then that Ying Yue had pointed up and she turned her sight upwards did she see the flying - falling - head of the kobold lord. She hoisted herself up and placed both feet on the back of the kobold lord's carcass, silently noting that normally she wouldn't have been able to do such a thing - and pushed herself off along with her dagger. She rolled on the ground and let out a sigh as the head landed from where she had been perching on. The boss was thoroughly dead and Erika couldn't believe that they had done such a thing. It was an awkward mix of effort between all of them and their teamwork certainly could be improved upon but it was exhilarating. The power of the two women before her was overwhelming and she was staring at them with absolute wonder. There was also the archer and the mage - speaking of which, it looked like Ying Yue had cleaved through one of the puppets and Erika was about to say something but decided to hold back. Erika walked over to the kobold lord wondering if this world made it so that they dropped items of sorts. As she edged closer, the voice inside her head began to ring again. She creased her eyebrows. What did it mean by Gluttony? She inched closer to the carcass, poking it and it felt like she was opening up a menu as the voice chimed in again. Erika's nose scrunched up in disgust. She had to... eat the kobold lord to get stats? That sounded absolutely horrid and she wondered what sort of luck she pulled to be in this sort of situation. Sure, she had eaten a lot of exotic stuff over her years of traveling. Her parents insisted on letting her try anything and everything. She had eaten a lot of raw food and even grubs before. It was a normal thing in the Wayne household whenever they traveled, but it just felt wrong to just... eat something that had just tried to kill everyone a few seconds before. She twirled the dagger around her fingers and stabbed it into the carcass. She carved out a piece of its meat and looked at it with a glare and then took a bite. It was... not as bad as she originally thought but it wasn't good either. By the whoever that goddess was again, if she had to do this over and over again... No stat ups. "Kaireth, why did you do this to me..." She cut up another part, her back at the others so they didn't quite see what she was doing.</s>	<\|message\|>Milo Thomas Milo was running as fast as "Run Away Level 1" could carry him, though he wasn't truly sure what it did or how it did it. If he thought to examine what was happening while this skill was active, he would realize that he was not only running faster than normal, but he was also stepping around and over obstacles that he didn't even notice existed. But he was too busy running away to take note of this. If this had been London, and if Milo were running from someone who meant him harm, he would have darted down the nearest side street, slipped down an alley and quickly lose his pursuer in the labyrinthine paths of the ancient city. Unfortunately for Milo, there were no side streets or alleys out here that he could slip down, nor was this London where he knew just about every twist and turn so well he could slip away practically with his eyes closed; to escape the pursuing kobolds, he just had to keep running out in the open and hope to outpace them. As he was running, he heard a howl of despair. Milo stopped and turned toward the sound. He had left the battle far behind, and his small stature granted him no favors in being able to see what was going on over such a distance, but he did see something shoot up and then fall back down in the distance. Milo couldn't tell for sure, but he thought it might have looked like a head? Maybe that woman who had been cutting off the heads of kobolds with that red rope had done the same to the Kobold Lord? As Milo considered these things, he took stock of his surroundings once more. He seemed to be utterly alone. The kobolds that had been chasing him, the reason he had been running in the first place, were nowhere to be seen. Had he actually lost them? Or had they fled when their leader fell? Or were they just too far away for Milo to see and would appear again to attack him before long? Milo wasn't sure which scenario was true, but if they were just going to show up again soon enough, Milo didn't want to hasten the encounter by running back in the very direction that he had left the monsters behind. And now that the adrenaline was wearing off, Milo realized how tired he was from the running, not to mention still hungry, having not eaten anything since waking up in this strange world. Luckily for him, the other strangers were taller than him, and thus able to see farther in this vast, flat expanse, so as long as Milo stayed above the top of the grass, he should have a chance of being found. But Milo had no idea how much distance he had covered in his run, or how far away from the others he truly was. Still, he was lost, and he didn't want to risk running into those kobolds that he had been running from again, so he would just have to wait to be found. He just hoped that whatever found him first was friendly. He didn't want to have to run away again.</s>
<\|description\|>Arisa Kei art by me :) Age: 16 Gender: Female Appearance Though Arisa is not one to worry much at all about her appearance, she does takes pride in her toned physique. The results of having been trained by her father from a young age are evident in the sculpted muscles on her torso and limbs. Paired together with her piercing, disinterested gaze, people have a tendency to stay away from her. She inherited much of her appearance from her father - jet black hair and sparkling hazel eyes - though her behaviour is much more similar to her mother, a researcher. She stands at 5'6, and appears slim under her clothes despite her built figure. The long scar that runs across her left cheek is something else she received from her dad, the product of a training session gone wrong. Rather than hide it, Arisa enjoys wearing it proudly as if it proves her worth, a medal for how hard she has trained for the glorious mission of the protection of mankind. Arisa's wardrobe is unsurprisingly basic—her one-track mind is often too focused on training to worry about frivolous things like fashion. She normally adorns any sort of comfortable loungewear, like hoodies, tank tops, t-shirts and leggings. Personality Like her mother, Arisa is calculated and rational. She seems disinterested in most things around her or is simply bored, but it's more accurate to say that she takes her life and her role in Red Demons a bit too seriously. Weighed down by the expectations of her family from a young age, she's been indoctrinated in believing that her entire life's purpose is to rid the world of vampires. She practically blindly believes this, to the point that she has never considered another option for her future and holds extremely antagonistic views on vampires, despite having never encountered one before joining Red Demons. However, because her beliefs lack any real experience or encounters to back it up, they are easily shaken, which Arisa does not respond well to. Though she is typically seen as more mature and stoic, Arisa shines the most when she's fighting. Most people are happiest when they are fulfilling some kind of purpose, doing what they enjoy doing, and the same applies for Arisa. On missions, Arisa is bright and motivated, and takes every effort to succeed. Brief Backstory Arisa was born as the first and only child of a former Red Demons member and a researcher under Yukimura Angelica. As the protégée of such high-caliber members of human society, a huge pressure had been placed on her shoulders to continue the legacy of her parents. Adults around her in childhood ceaselessly rambled on about what she should do and be, touting the accomplishments of her parents as the criteria to determine her worth. Arisa began to understand that if she wanted to be valuable to anyone, she had to be like her parents. From a young age, Arisa began training with her father and education with her mother. It was clear from the start she had much more competence with physical ability than academic, and overtime made combat training her main priority. Her father would tell her stories of the depravity of vampire-kind and the callous atrocities they committed towards humans. The way Arisa viewed it, the morality of vampires and humans was black and white. Vampires were simply evil by nature, a stain that had to be cleansed. Arisa's father eventually retired from his post after sustaining critical injuries on the field and could no longer fight. She still trained under his guidance and with some help from his colleagues. By the time she turned 16, applying to join the Army of Humanity was a no-brainer. Equipment Astraeus & Eos, a few throwing knives strapped to her thigh, a belt-bag with a basic first aid kit and a rose quartz crystal looped through with a string. Skills Close Combat Fighting: Trained with her father to fight Bladed Weapons Proficiency: Knows how to swing a sword and fight with and throw knives Crimson Arm Astraeus & Eos Astraeus and Eos are twin blades, named after the god and goddess of dusk and dawn. They are thin and long in appearance, and weigh relatively lightly despite seemingly being made of metal compounds. Astraeus takes on a darker obsidian hue, while Eos shines a bright silver. Arisa can telekinetically control these blades within a 10 meter radius and allow the blades to fly around her within this limit. Each blade can also be duplicated 3 times, creating 8 blades in total that Arisa could potentially control.</s> <\|message\|>Himika Takano Himika She had been oddly silent here. Quite unlike her, if anyone knew the white haired girl standing near the front. Honestly, it was just so exciting she couldn't actually put it into words! Today was the day! She was getting her very own crimson arm and she could finally, finally, do what she wanted after all these years. Agh, what should she do? How should she act? She should probably act a little more dignified, right? She was after all, bearing humanities weight on her shoulders now, so she had to at least appear somewhat competent. "Wahaha, interesting?" Himika said in response to a comment made by some sleepy looking guy. "I guess, huh? I'm excited myself. I can't even think straight." Maybe she was being too optimistic, or looking at this with too much in the way of rose tinted vision, but she couldn't help it. Nothing could ruin this day, even if the path ahead of her was a difficult one. She made this decision, no sense in not liking what she was going to be doing. So she silenced herself, following along the corridor with everyone else present. Thankfully, she didn't have to wait long. Soon they had seemed to have reached their destination, a blond woman in a labcoat commenting on how cute they all were. Himika couldn't help but to giggle and blush at the compliment, even if it wasn't directed completely at her, but the commanders words quickly pulled her back to reality. "Right, right...okay...Himika you can do this..." She approached the containment unit that held her Crimson Arm. So much build up, so many mistakes, so many hours spent training and forgetting to even sleep some times. She was prepared, right? Totally prepared. Mentally and physically. So she opened it. She stared, for a few seconds. The black steel of the blade seemed smooth. Far too smooth. Almost made her think nothing could have made it. She inhaled, reaching her arms forwards and grabbed the hilt. For a moment, she was a bit disappointed at what felt like nothing happening as she lifted the blade. "Geh? That's hot...!" All at once a wave of nausea and lightheadedness washed over her, and she could have almost sworn the blades handle was going to burn her. It was almost too much, really, and she almost lost her footing. Still, she didn't release her grip on the blade. "...urgh..." She had come this far. She wasn't going to let this go, nor let her admittedly clumsiness ruin this. This was her blade. Her crimson arm. And she wasn't going to give up.</s> <\|message\|>Mori Hanako Cute...? Could random strangers not call her cute, even as part of a group? It was all a bit... weird, really; she didn't want the attention in the slightest. It was a good thing that everyone was going to be distracted by the new toys; it meant her blush was going to go unnoticed. Especially with how fast Hanako shuffled over to the named containment unit, flipping the box open and... Just a combat knife? Really, she had expected something... more? With how much this was being talked up. But a combat knife... oh, she could use a combat knife perfectly fine, and didn't hesitate in picking it up. T The lack of hesitation was probably a bad idea, Hanako immediately decided. For one, the sudden feeling of sickness was overpowering. For another... was she imagining things, or were parts of her body just becoming see-through at random? Just what the hell was the function of this knife? One second her arm was there, the next it was just the floor, and she swore that it spread down to her stomach and that was... too weird... But at least it was returning to normal. And she hadn't thrown up.</s> <\|message\|>Minako "Koka" Kaiyo Koka Koka entered the room, glancing around, her smile fading was curiosity took over her. It returned though, briefly, as she smiled and waved at the blonde girl who had complimented the entire group. Koka was especially amused by Himika's reaction. The black-haired girl's heart fluttered in her chest as she was told it was time to fetch their Crimson Arms for the first time. "Oh-ho-man, here we go." She said. Koka rolled her shoulders, and bounced up and down. She watch as Himika and Hanako went first. Both of the mseemed to be affected by touching their blades. Affected them physically. But they seemed to get over it. "Guess it's me, next. Wish me luck, ladies." She looked around at the group with a small but eager smile. The 'ladies' included the men of the group, as well. Flipping open the case labelled 'Minako' her eyes widened, and she audibly gasped. "It's...it's the most wicked assault rifle I've ever seen in my life." She said, her voice full of awe. She briefly covered her mouth and coughed, taken aback. Indeed, it was. All red and blue, a striking weapon that would stand out from any other. "I...I think I'm gonna cry." She said, playing it up with humor in her voice, wiping away an invisible tear. Gently, she wrapped her hand around the rear handle of the rifle. And immediately, the effects were obvious, Koka the most strongly affected so far. Those looking at her face could see her smile fade and her eyes roll up partially into her head for a brief moment. Koka lost her balance entirely. "Nnnuh~" She stumbled back. Her head was swimming. She caught herself on the nearest teammate, whoever it was. Once rebalanced, she let herself fall onto her butt, crossing her legs. The smile returned as she shook off the worst of the effects, regaining her composure. Her face blushed a little out of embarassment, but other than that she seemed to take it well. "W-wow. Helluva kick." Her headache and nausa began to fade. Squinting through the migraine she began to stroke the barrel of her gun, admiring it. "This is...this is a work of art." She chuckled in quiet amazement.</s>	<\|message\|>Arisa Kei Arisa could feel tension build as they made their way through the facility. The path to their destination seemed lengthy, but perhaps that was simply her anticipation influencing her perception of time. Time went on, and soon enough, the group of recruits followed the commander to a pair of doors that slid open in his presence. The room was spacious, and Arisa took a few seconds to take in the new sights. There was an observation deck on the upper section of the back wall. The perimeter of the room was lined with chambers in intervals, and intercom speakers lined the ceiling. As soon as they stepped in, a female voice sounded through them. Heavily contrasted to the group's stoic mood, the voice was cheerful and upbeat. Arisa thought her remark about how cute everyone looked was probably accurate; they were all young and not yet as strong as the typical Red Demons member. Arisa listened attentively as the commander gave out his next instructions. Her eyes darted to the containment unit with her name. She was not worried about any side effect or ill symptom—she had strong conviction that it would be but a minor inconvenience. Her heart began to race as she stepped towards her Crimson Arm. With a careful movement, Arisa opened its container. Two blades glistened in the box—one an obsidian hue, the other a bright silver, though both shone and reflected the harsh overhead lighting radiantly. They were long and thin, appearing as if their form was crafted to fit Arisa's stature. She moved with caution, and slowly gripped the handles of both swords with her hands and lifted them out of the box. In an instant, a surge of heat blasted through her body, scorching all her senses with fire. Arisa hunched over in pain, but she bit her tongue and held back a scream of anguish and tightened her grip on the blades. In mere seconds, though it felt much longer, the pain ceased, and Arisa's senses calmed. She breathed a sigh of relief. Her first challenge as a Red Demons recruit had been won. Her eyes lingered adoringly on her twin swords, and an uncharacteristic smile spread on her lips. After a long personal moment with her weapon, Arisa began to look around her. The other recruits seem to be in similar positions, admiring their Crimson Arms as much as Arisa had. She looked towards the commander with an eager glint in her eye, though she kept her expression neutral. "Commander, will we be testing out our Arms today?"</s>
<\|description\|>Anna Marina "Spectre" Caldeira Age: 30 Species: Black Jaguar Height: 6"3 Appearance: Anna stands a few inches shorter than Max, though the feminine feline is no less a presence when she enters a room. Anna is slim, yet muscular, possessing phenominal cardiovascular ability that gives her the ability to keep going, and going like a beast possessed- parkour, climbing and running are in her repertoire, and make her a terrifying opponent in a one-on-one, even in spite of her shorter stature. Her hair is as black as her skin rather than grey, kept exceptionally short and making her ears more prominent than her practically kept hairline. The spots on her skin are even a muted tone, with scratches along her arms and legs from vaulting and running. She often wears a balaclava while at work, or a black beanie hat, a different choice to the typical baseball cap used by recon teams. A significant scar runs along her abdomen, where she was stabbed by an insergent. Her voice is a silky, yet deep tone that mostly remains quiet, harsh upon being raised and hardly something pleasing to hear when she calls out, an accent and tone akin to afro-brazillian Portuguese, and lot more street-ready. Whilst possessing a roar, it's considerably different to Max. --- Personality: Positive Personality Traits: Honest. Fearless. Good at listening. Straight talking. Patient. Very Calculated. Nigh-unbreakable. Negative Personality Traits: Aloof. Blunt. Cold-Blooded. Ruthless. Sarcastic. Likes: Danger. Quiet people. Stealth ops. Dislikes: Interference. Needless social contact. Working with others. Anna is incredibly cold, ruthless and capable, almost driven by some sort of energy that eminates from her shy personality. She seems to have not drawn any boundaries for her pain nor her lack of ability to do something - pretty much anything is doable to her, but as such, it makes her usually alone in that activity, and happier for it. Anna is a good listener, wise and very street-smart, able to sit and blend in, or go all out when the time comes. Perhaps not a lovely person, a bit awful to most. That said, she can make incredibly warm friends- though you know the sarcasm goes up to 11 if you're really close to her. Max and Cat are two in particular, people she would give out her close life details to, such is her respect, and once you learn that bit of her, she's easy company to keep. --------- History: Born on a poor housing block in the capital of Solernia, Anna Marina Caldeira was born to the very opposite of silver spoon that Max was born into, brought up by her policewoman mother in the absence of her father as an only child- her father being someone Anna hasn't seen since her fifth birthday. She was always a shy girl, the jaguar brought up in a violent, often turbulent background and constantly living in fear. Anna did not do well in school as a result even in spite of her cutting mind and fighter's attitude due to having poor and confrontational behaviour, a defense mechanism of sorts- it burned her at every opportunity and the only reason she perhaps made it as far as she did was the intervention of after-school athletics and boxing programmes and her mother's gritty attitude. Anna was shy, but a fighter and completely fearless- and told from day one to always do whatever it takes to survive, and more than that, do better. Upon turning 19, Anna joined the RSDF as an infantry soldier, and her phsyical talent from her school athlete days carried her easily through basic, as did her talent with a rifle. Anna was incredibly capable, but incredible difficult to work with. Her unrelenting discipline got her scolded by squadmates, and she was almost unworkable as a strict, cold character in the group. Yet her talent in a fireteam on peacekeeping missions meant that she was selected to go forward for Special Forces training, and here again, she got in with flying colours. Particular credit was given to her ferocity in the assault courses, aerial insertion work and her resistance to torture as well as her talents in stealth, where Anna left many men behind for dust. The girl was unbreakable- almost as if something was driving her, her drive and willingess to do anything it took almost too alluring to resist. Yet Anna through this time appeared to be repeating the same mistakes, when assigned to different SOF teams. Except this time, the brass made one little difference. The street girl from the estates was an exceptional talent at being the "grey" operator Special Forces Command craved, and had every talent nailed that they wanted. Not the kind that worked in an ordinary team. Inserted in domestic anti-terrorist teams or with the Intelligence Services, Anna was used as a lone wolf, a deniable operator who could kill, hurt and cause pain as a one person unit. Sent into foreign nations with the Solernian Intelligence Services, "Spectre" had no qualms doing things other oprerators would balk at or, be terrified of. Those who knew her knew she was awkward, difficult to work with, and almost impossible to manage. But when she worked, she did things most infiltrators wouldn't dare- absolutely and completely ruthless about her job. She didn't care who she killed. Duty, control and getting the mission done meant saving lives. Even if it meant doing something truly awful. Max handpicked her upon hearing that the SIS no longer required her services, and while the two did not intially get on, through a mixture of sarcasm, wit and humour, the two learned to handle each other as two weird and quirky people- tempering each others' flames, Max the playful and resourceful lion, Anna the ruthless and cold, sarky jaguar of the team. They worked together for two years, through hell and high water, and whilst not getting the promotion she deserved, has stayed with Max out of loyalty. In her last deployment in the civil war, Anna was stabbed by an hidden insergent whilst clearing out a complex in the hunt for the mysterious Silent Line figure, rescued by Catriona yet able to direct Viper to assist and get her out after being dragged unconcious by the insergents, Actual, Hopper and Kestrel getting them out of dodge. Bleeding out alongside Catriona has increased her respect for the Highland Cow, knowing she isn't all talk but caring and something Anna knows she needs to reciprocate- almost melting her in an odd way. Ever since, she has recovered fully and like the fighter she is, continued in what she does. Spectre doesn't die that easy, after all. Hobbies & Interests: Climbing, Triathlon, Reading, Grime Music, Boxing. ------------- 2x K8 SOF Combat Knife 2x M8A Select-Fire PDS with Silencer/LAM RI M23 w/ 40mm Grenade Launcher -Holographic Sight and Magnifier, Vertical Foregrip, Silencer, Laser/Light Module, Golden-Grey Camo Reconaissance Fatigues and Armour (Gold/Grey) OR Stealth Fatigues (Black) Pebble Ommni-Tool Personal First Aid Kit Personal Survival Kit Climbing Rope and Harness + Magnetised Grappling Hook PID (Laser Designator/Thermal Imaging Device) Grenades, Smoke Grenades and Flashbangs Quad-Vision NVGs 2kg of RDX Explosives</s> <\|message\|>Anna Marina "Spectre" Caldeira Max smirked as he saw Silverwind approve the requests, as he put his head back against the wall, sighing. He had to think to himself of what the last op had been like, and how much it had come to haunt him a little how intense it had gotten. They'd gotten into some serious scrapes before, but Anna getting wounded like that was pretty fucking bad. For her too, Max felt guilt, guilt that he hadn't been there for his own team. A good leader shouldn't have cared, especially not one as hardened as him. But for all the lack of empathy that him and Anna sometimes showed each other, they did care, a considerable amount. It was almost as if the two odd pieces fitted together well, as he sighed, shutting his eyes for just a moment. --- In the same time the lion was sitting in reflection, Anna was running through her equipment list, one that from the first glance of the Pebble's listing seemed very short. The jaguar wasn't thinking about the wound, or even how she'd gotten into that situation. Only to never let it happen again. And to focus on what was next. The M23 rifle was already in her posession on a table across from her, the hexagonally camoflaged grenadier version odd for an infiltrator- but exceptionally useful to destroy things if shit went to pot. Adjusting her cuffs, the jaguar's night-black hex-camo infiltration gear was more like a wetsuit, fitting tightly from the top of her head to her toes, reducing her profile in the dark even more immensely- and even more specficially, the special weave allowed her thermal signature to be concealed. In a nutshell, she was nigh invisible to a thermal imaging camera, given that almost every surface of her skin was covered from her paws to even her eyes, covered with the NVGs, which were equipped with a thermal imaging mode. Whilst she had forgone armour to have that advantage, the main reason she didn't always use a piece of equipment like this, the infiltration suit allowed her breathing room to run, climb and vault with total ease, as well as hide in shadows far easier than in an alternative uniform. It did also show her...athletic form off too. A pair of quad-optic NVGs made her already astounding night vision even more laser-like, and the modified Corvid wingpack sat across from her, this time, with two hydrogen-powered jets attached to the semi-rigid wing structure. If there was one thing that the new intiative had given her, it was priority on the coolest equipment list that the SIS had access to. She took the rifle as she finished up with her tactical equipment, taking a range of smart 40mm grenades, her grappling hook, and a pocket-sized laser designator, as well as shouldering the Covid pack as the last piece of the puzzle. With only a wry smile, Anna silently took confidence in herself that while she wasn't in a GEAR, Spectre was going to make the Silent Line afraid of the dark. --- Sitting inside the command centre, Anna and Max had settled in early, bags and equipment all settled down. Anna only had a small hex-coloured pack, containing her explosives and other supplies, while Max had taken a slightly larger bag, knowing he was probably going to carry his and Anna's various kit across. The gear getting loaded in the background was a sight to see, as the gray-haired fox turned up, slinging himself into place and strapping himself in. Anna had pulled back her balaclava and hood, clicking her hands as she seemed almost disengaged for the moment. "Good to see you again, Silverwind. Hopefully we're going in a bit." Max commented, sighing as he looked around at the command centre, nodding approvingly. "This is fancy. I like this an awful lot. Proper support, nice." He added, feeling like he was breaking the silence, already strapped in and wearing a GEAR pilot's standard fatigues, in his usual reconaissance pattern. The jaguar didn't seem too interested, as Max looked across to her, then back to Silverwind. "As I said, Anna can get her hands on some proper secret agent shit. It's impressive kit she's got herself. I seriously don't know how she made friends with the SIS though to get it. Killing people in cold blood is really anti-social." "It's best I don't tell you how I get things done, Maxwell. Just you leave me to it." Anna cuttingly replied, Max chuckling in response to her frank reply. "Alright, alright. Feeling good to go?" He asked her, the jaguar nodding in reply. "Just about as good as I can be. Colonel, I've got a camera hooked up to the NVGs here, and a whole bunch of RDX with me too. I know infiltrators are a weird unit to manage- basically, just tell me what you need done and I'll figure it out."</s> <\|message\|>Silverwind Blade Almost as if in answer to Max's question as to them getting going, the transports engines howled to life, the sound building up rapidly. Lights inside the bay flashed as the ramp came up, and the loadmaster directed them all to take their seats and strap. It didn't take long before the plane started to roll. From inside there wasn't much to see, but the sense of movement was real as the aircraft rolled onto the runway and accelerated. The flight passed with little event for the most part. Silverwind used the time to get some sleep, and to eat. After all, there was little else to do. The only other thing was to review the mission data again, and run through options for the assault, and keep up to date - as much as they could - with any intel from the scene.</s>	<\|message\|>Anna Marina "Spectre" Caldeira Max had taken an awful lot of sleep, as had Anna, the team sleeping for the majority of the flight. The day was passing quick, given that they had quite a bit of distance to cover- and after their stopover in Faerenal, they were on their way into the hot zone. Max had a rough idea of how they could work with Anna's laser designated point- while they could do it remotely from above, like a strike fighter could, it would potentially get hairy if there were local countermeasures in place. Anyway, Anna would get a much more accurate lase, and more importantly, identify the target much clearer than they could from afar if there was any interference. The infiltrator on the other hand had looked into how she would insert- going in prior to the rest of the GEARs dropping, using the jet-powered wingpack to land outside the base, then start setting up a whole array of "treats". Risky, but the night was her friend for that one. Sitting back, Anna exhaled, as the black jaguar took her headphones off, some rap from back in the days. While Anna was a woman that had risen above her background, sometimes though, she had kept bits of it in the little things she did. Max sometimes joked that while he was like a surfer, she was like the terrifying shadow you saw behind you in the rough part of town. A street soldier, but a spec-ops one. Taking her headphones off, she walked across to Catriona, the Highland Cow someone she wanted to chat to, knowing now was probably the right time with the other two asleep. Looking across to her, the jaguar walked across, the sultry and tactical infiltrator sitting down, sighing before she started. "Hey up. You know me and how I am....I don't really talk to people much and all. I don't want to mince my words, but just wanted to say after last time, I owe you a little bit of a debt. You nearly died for me, Cat...I thought that was me done and dusted, a stupid way to go after some of the other crap I've been in. But here we are....not sure what it's worth, but you need anything after this, you've got my Pebble's contact." Anna said, her voice coming through as honest, breaking her usual cold and harsh demeanour, genuine and true in her words, offering a paw out to Catriona.</s>
<\|description\|>Anna Marina "Spectre" Caldeira Age: 30 Species: Black Jaguar Height: 6"3 Appearance: Anna stands a few inches shorter than Max, though the feminine feline is no less a presence when she enters a room. Anna is slim, yet muscular, possessing phenominal cardiovascular ability that gives her the ability to keep going, and going like a beast possessed- parkour, climbing and running are in her repertoire, and make her a terrifying opponent in a one-on-one, even in spite of her shorter stature. Her hair is as black as her skin rather than grey, kept exceptionally short and making her ears more prominent than her practically kept hairline. The spots on her skin are even a muted tone, with scratches along her arms and legs from vaulting and running. She often wears a balaclava while at work, or a black beanie hat, a different choice to the typical baseball cap used by recon teams. A significant scar runs along her abdomen, where she was stabbed by an insergent. Her voice is a silky, yet deep tone that mostly remains quiet, harsh upon being raised and hardly something pleasing to hear when she calls out, an accent and tone akin to afro-brazillian Portuguese, and lot more street-ready. Whilst possessing a roar, it's considerably different to Max. --- Personality: Positive Personality Traits: Honest. Fearless. Good at listening. Straight talking. Patient. Very Calculated. Nigh-unbreakable. Negative Personality Traits: Aloof. Blunt. Cold-Blooded. Ruthless. Sarcastic. Likes: Danger. Quiet people. Stealth ops. Dislikes: Interference. Needless social contact. Working with others. Anna is incredibly cold, ruthless and capable, almost driven by some sort of energy that eminates from her shy personality. She seems to have not drawn any boundaries for her pain nor her lack of ability to do something - pretty much anything is doable to her, but as such, it makes her usually alone in that activity, and happier for it. Anna is a good listener, wise and very street-smart, able to sit and blend in, or go all out when the time comes. Perhaps not a lovely person, a bit awful to most. That said, she can make incredibly warm friends- though you know the sarcasm goes up to 11 if you're really close to her. Max and Cat are two in particular, people she would give out her close life details to, such is her respect, and once you learn that bit of her, she's easy company to keep. --------- History: Born on a poor housing block in the capital of Solernia, Anna Marina Caldeira was born to the very opposite of silver spoon that Max was born into, brought up by her policewoman mother in the absence of her father as an only child- her father being someone Anna hasn't seen since her fifth birthday. She was always a shy girl, the jaguar brought up in a violent, often turbulent background and constantly living in fear. Anna did not do well in school as a result even in spite of her cutting mind and fighter's attitude due to having poor and confrontational behaviour, a defense mechanism of sorts- it burned her at every opportunity and the only reason she perhaps made it as far as she did was the intervention of after-school athletics and boxing programmes and her mother's gritty attitude. Anna was shy, but a fighter and completely fearless- and told from day one to always do whatever it takes to survive, and more than that, do better. Upon turning 19, Anna joined the RSDF as an infantry soldier, and her phsyical talent from her school athlete days carried her easily through basic, as did her talent with a rifle. Anna was incredibly capable, but incredible difficult to work with. Her unrelenting discipline got her scolded by squadmates, and she was almost unworkable as a strict, cold character in the group. Yet her talent in a fireteam on peacekeeping missions meant that she was selected to go forward for Special Forces training, and here again, she got in with flying colours. Particular credit was given to her ferocity in the assault courses, aerial insertion work and her resistance to torture as well as her talents in stealth, where Anna left many men behind for dust. The girl was unbreakable- almost as if something was driving her, her drive and willingess to do anything it took almost too alluring to resist. Yet Anna through this time appeared to be repeating the same mistakes, when assigned to different SOF teams. Except this time, the brass made one little difference. The street girl from the estates was an exceptional talent at being the "grey" operator Special Forces Command craved, and had every talent nailed that they wanted. Not the kind that worked in an ordinary team. Inserted in domestic anti-terrorist teams or with the Intelligence Services, Anna was used as a lone wolf, a deniable operator who could kill, hurt and cause pain as a one person unit. Sent into foreign nations with the Solernian Intelligence Services, "Spectre" had no qualms doing things other oprerators would balk at or, be terrified of. Those who knew her knew she was awkward, difficult to work with, and almost impossible to manage. But when she worked, she did things most infiltrators wouldn't dare- absolutely and completely ruthless about her job. She didn't care who she killed. Duty, control and getting the mission done meant saving lives. Even if it meant doing something truly awful. Max handpicked her upon hearing that the SIS no longer required her services, and while the two did not intially get on, through a mixture of sarcasm, wit and humour, the two learned to handle each other as two weird and quirky people- tempering each others' flames, Max the playful and resourceful lion, Anna the ruthless and cold, sarky jaguar of the team. They worked together for two years, through hell and high water, and whilst not getting the promotion she deserved, has stayed with Max out of loyalty. In her last deployment in the civil war, Anna was stabbed by an hidden insergent whilst clearing out a complex in the hunt for the mysterious Silent Line figure, rescued by Catriona yet able to direct Viper to assist and get her out after being dragged unconcious by the insergents, Actual, Hopper and Kestrel getting them out of dodge. Bleeding out alongside Catriona has increased her respect for the Highland Cow, knowing she isn't all talk but caring and something Anna knows she needs to reciprocate- almost melting her in an odd way. Ever since, she has recovered fully and like the fighter she is, continued in what she does. Spectre doesn't die that easy, after all. Hobbies & Interests: Climbing, Triathlon, Reading, Grime Music, Boxing. ------------- 2x K8 SOF Combat Knife 2x M8A Select-Fire PDS with Silencer/LAM RI M23 w/ 40mm Grenade Launcher -Holographic Sight and Magnifier, Vertical Foregrip, Silencer, Laser/Light Module, Golden-Grey Camo Reconaissance Fatigues and Armour (Gold/Grey) OR Stealth Fatigues (Black) Pebble Ommni-Tool Personal First Aid Kit Personal Survival Kit Climbing Rope and Harness + Magnetised Grappling Hook PID (Laser Designator/Thermal Imaging Device) Grenades, Smoke Grenades and Flashbangs Quad-Vision NVGs 2kg of RDX Explosives</s> <\|message\|>Anna Marina "Spectre" Caldeira Anna chuckled, sighing as she nodded towards Max, knowing full well what she just said wasn't a million miles away, the sight of Silverwind's sleepy deneamour humourous to the sight as she sighed, looking back across to Cat, the jaguar nodding in agreement. "Oh yeah, we've got trust. We understand each other, in some chaotic way. Even those two!" Anna philosophised, chuckling as she looked back to Max, who was now beginning to snore, at an increasing noise. It wasn't enough to echo in the cargo bay over the droning engines, but in an isolated environment it certainly would. "Even him. We might not always see eye to eye, but I think we somehow work for each other. Even each other out as two weirdos. We come from different worlds...he never knew real trouble when he was young but he's fearless and knows how to get things done. Only person he found in challenging that was me. In return, he makes me a bit more tolerable." She added, shrugging, as she looked back towards the Highland Cow's listening and warm embrace, someone that made her feel more real than android. Perhaps Anna hated it, really wanted to reject it at all times, but she had to admit, someone like Cat was impossible to just put into numbers and quantify. She had a Arvaran-ness about her, a person worth caring for, and Anna had very few that she felt like that. Beyond a professional courtesy to stop her team-mates getting killed, she had something more proper here- tangible, perhaps. Like she could be more open here. "Anyway, I can do three in the morning. These eyes don't sleep...and I've done worse." Anna added, chuckling as she flicked her Pebble back into life, bringing the holographic display back into life, checking over a few bits of her data link to Cat and the display inside the vehicle. The professional was still there, for now at least.</s> <\|message\|>Silverwind Blade Cat listened patiently and with interest, taking in what Anna had to say with personal interest. She could tell this was a rare moment for the jaguar to open up, and treated it as such without interrupting. She gave a smile as the smaller, slimmer woman touched on her friendship with Max, much as she had done with her own with Silver, and nodded in understanding. As she answered her remark, she chuckled and turned back to her own pebble as Anna did the same. **** It was hours later when the transport prepared for landing, the announcement coming from the loadmaster. Once again, they strapped in as the pitch of the engines changed and the aircraft rumbled as its' landing gear extended. Noises issued from all around as the aircraft dropped through the air in a graceful, controlled descent into thicker air and toward the ground, and as the big, sleek stealth transport kissed the runway, the noise was too intense for conversation. It died down soon after as the plane turned off the runway and moved to a parking position, the noise dying down to a shrill scream of idling powerplants, and the loadmaster checked them off to disembark, the ramp cracking open and lowering with a grinding whine of hydralics and opening to a fresh breeze tinged with the scents of hot metal and burnt fuel from the airbase outside. "Welcome to Faeranel, boys and girls," Silverwind said as he stood and shrugged his pack onto his shoulders. "The tech support team will take care of off-loading out GEARs and fitting them out for the mission. We have about-" he checked his pebble, which had automatically synced up to local time "-Four hours before nightfall, and another two before we launch. Enough time for us all to get adjusted. Yer all free to go take in the local sights, whatever they may be, as long as we're back here in time fer final briefin' and last checks one hour before take off. No drinkin' this time, I'm afraid; save that fer afterwards. But get some chow somewhere that ain't a mess hall, but yerselves some souveneirs, and stretch yer legs after bein' cooped up in this tin can for the last while". He nodded to them all and headed down the ramp into the brightness of the early afternoon sunshine.</s>	<\|message\|>Anna Marina "Spectre" Caldeira Faraenal was a place Max and Anna had been a while away from, a stopover while supporting peacekeeping and recovering work in the region, a scrubland and warm, mediteranian-like clime that had suffered its unfair share of natural disasters. It was phenominal how well it had recovered after the hurricane a few years ago, coming barely a couple of years after a nasty earthquake had hit prior to that- wrecking much of the coast. Efforts from many nations had helped recover Faraenal, the people resilient and willing to recover the country through its industrious and resistant core. Perhaps it was what made the small deployment here easier, Max thought- hey, at least the people weren't complete dicks. While it was a nation locked into war, it had perservered through it, and was a very under-the-radar place to visit for its attractive little towns, its beauty often conflicted with the fact the media had depicted it as in ruin. The plane halting was the moment Max could unclip, the lion looking across to Silverwind and giving him a nod. "I'm game for that. Anna, you coming?" The lion asked, Anna shrugging as she looked up to the other feline, not really up for going out, on account of her combat gear. "In this? You think I'd fit in?" Anna said, Max chuckling as he knew he just had to pull an absolute bastard of a line out for that one. "Yeah, okay, maybe not. I mean, it does make you look kinda kinky." To which Max got a slap, Anna swearing as the lion barely even gave a shit and laughed, the jaguar sighing in response as the lion yawned, stretching a little as he walked down the ramp, looking across to Silverwind. "I'm gonna head out to get some rays. Grab some sights at the cliffs over on the shore. Silver, Cat, you in? "</s>
<\|description\|>Anna Marina "Spectre" Caldeira Age: 30 Species: Black Jaguar Height: 6"3 Appearance: Anna stands a few inches shorter than Max, though the feminine feline is no less a presence when she enters a room. Anna is slim, yet muscular, possessing phenominal cardiovascular ability that gives her the ability to keep going, and going like a beast possessed- parkour, climbing and running are in her repertoire, and make her a terrifying opponent in a one-on-one, even in spite of her shorter stature. Her hair is as black as her skin rather than grey, kept exceptionally short and making her ears more prominent than her practically kept hairline. The spots on her skin are even a muted tone, with scratches along her arms and legs from vaulting and running. She often wears a balaclava while at work, or a black beanie hat, a different choice to the typical baseball cap used by recon teams. A significant scar runs along her abdomen, where she was stabbed by an insergent. Her voice is a silky, yet deep tone that mostly remains quiet, harsh upon being raised and hardly something pleasing to hear when she calls out, an accent and tone akin to afro-brazillian Portuguese, and lot more street-ready. Whilst possessing a roar, it's considerably different to Max. --- Personality: Positive Personality Traits: Honest. Fearless. Good at listening. Straight talking. Patient. Very Calculated. Nigh-unbreakable. Negative Personality Traits: Aloof. Blunt. Cold-Blooded. Ruthless. Sarcastic. Likes: Danger. Quiet people. Stealth ops. Dislikes: Interference. Needless social contact. Working with others. Anna is incredibly cold, ruthless and capable, almost driven by some sort of energy that eminates from her shy personality. She seems to have not drawn any boundaries for her pain nor her lack of ability to do something - pretty much anything is doable to her, but as such, it makes her usually alone in that activity, and happier for it. Anna is a good listener, wise and very street-smart, able to sit and blend in, or go all out when the time comes. Perhaps not a lovely person, a bit awful to most. That said, she can make incredibly warm friends- though you know the sarcasm goes up to 11 if you're really close to her. Max and Cat are two in particular, people she would give out her close life details to, such is her respect, and once you learn that bit of her, she's easy company to keep. --------- History: Born on a poor housing block in the capital of Solernia, Anna Marina Caldeira was born to the very opposite of silver spoon that Max was born into, brought up by her policewoman mother in the absence of her father as an only child- her father being someone Anna hasn't seen since her fifth birthday. She was always a shy girl, the jaguar brought up in a violent, often turbulent background and constantly living in fear. Anna did not do well in school as a result even in spite of her cutting mind and fighter's attitude due to having poor and confrontational behaviour, a defense mechanism of sorts- it burned her at every opportunity and the only reason she perhaps made it as far as she did was the intervention of after-school athletics and boxing programmes and her mother's gritty attitude. Anna was shy, but a fighter and completely fearless- and told from day one to always do whatever it takes to survive, and more than that, do better. Upon turning 19, Anna joined the RSDF as an infantry soldier, and her phsyical talent from her school athlete days carried her easily through basic, as did her talent with a rifle. Anna was incredibly capable, but incredible difficult to work with. Her unrelenting discipline got her scolded by squadmates, and she was almost unworkable as a strict, cold character in the group. Yet her talent in a fireteam on peacekeeping missions meant that she was selected to go forward for Special Forces training, and here again, she got in with flying colours. Particular credit was given to her ferocity in the assault courses, aerial insertion work and her resistance to torture as well as her talents in stealth, where Anna left many men behind for dust. The girl was unbreakable- almost as if something was driving her, her drive and willingess to do anything it took almost too alluring to resist. Yet Anna through this time appeared to be repeating the same mistakes, when assigned to different SOF teams. Except this time, the brass made one little difference. The street girl from the estates was an exceptional talent at being the "grey" operator Special Forces Command craved, and had every talent nailed that they wanted. Not the kind that worked in an ordinary team. Inserted in domestic anti-terrorist teams or with the Intelligence Services, Anna was used as a lone wolf, a deniable operator who could kill, hurt and cause pain as a one person unit. Sent into foreign nations with the Solernian Intelligence Services, "Spectre" had no qualms doing things other oprerators would balk at or, be terrified of. Those who knew her knew she was awkward, difficult to work with, and almost impossible to manage. But when she worked, she did things most infiltrators wouldn't dare- absolutely and completely ruthless about her job. She didn't care who she killed. Duty, control and getting the mission done meant saving lives. Even if it meant doing something truly awful. Max handpicked her upon hearing that the SIS no longer required her services, and while the two did not intially get on, through a mixture of sarcasm, wit and humour, the two learned to handle each other as two weird and quirky people- tempering each others' flames, Max the playful and resourceful lion, Anna the ruthless and cold, sarky jaguar of the team. They worked together for two years, through hell and high water, and whilst not getting the promotion she deserved, has stayed with Max out of loyalty. In her last deployment in the civil war, Anna was stabbed by an hidden insergent whilst clearing out a complex in the hunt for the mysterious Silent Line figure, rescued by Catriona yet able to direct Viper to assist and get her out after being dragged unconcious by the insergents, Actual, Hopper and Kestrel getting them out of dodge. Bleeding out alongside Catriona has increased her respect for the Highland Cow, knowing she isn't all talk but caring and something Anna knows she needs to reciprocate- almost melting her in an odd way. Ever since, she has recovered fully and like the fighter she is, continued in what she does. Spectre doesn't die that easy, after all. Hobbies & Interests: Climbing, Triathlon, Reading, Grime Music, Boxing. ------------- 2x K8 SOF Combat Knife 2x M8A Select-Fire PDS with Silencer/LAM RI M23 w/ 40mm Grenade Launcher -Holographic Sight and Magnifier, Vertical Foregrip, Silencer, Laser/Light Module, Golden-Grey Camo Reconaissance Fatigues and Armour (Gold/Grey) OR Stealth Fatigues (Black) Pebble Ommni-Tool Personal First Aid Kit Personal Survival Kit Climbing Rope and Harness + Magnetised Grappling Hook PID (Laser Designator/Thermal Imaging Device) Grenades, Smoke Grenades and Flashbangs Quad-Vision NVGs 2kg of RDX Explosives</s> <\|message\|>Anna Marina "Spectre" Caldeira Max chuckled, watching as Silverwind came back up the beach, sitting down as he lay out himself too. "Yeah, nothing like the sea! Let's enjoy it while we can...I hope we get another, but if things go well, I have a funny feeling we might not..." The lion commented, yawning as like Silver and Cat, he was just enjoying this peace and calm that compared to going out there and operating. The calm of the waves coming in, and the occasional call of birds while lying on the soft sand was good enough for him. It would only last a couple more hours Max mused to himself, time to get away and get some proper rest in. Just as Max put his head back, shutting his eyes, he heard something ambient on the horizon, something that instantly caught his ear. "Hang on...the fuck is that noise?" Max commented, the sound of a quiet whine getting nosier and nosier- the lion already half wondering what the hell it was. It was high in pitch, but still quiet, enough to catch his particularly sensitive hearing, as he turned and saw just what it was. Almost as if on cue, Max sat up, his jaw open, watching on as the black silouette darted past the sun, dropping altitude over the sea and travelling at a rapid rate. That was what she had meant by a quiet afternoon in....of course. Anna had to admit, finding them hadn't been that hard but hell, it'd been the journey, not the destination that had mattered for her. After all, when you're using a jet-powered wingpack and you're about to do some infiltration using a piece of experimental equipment, nothing like a dry run to calm your nerves, right? She thought to herself it was probably better this way she didn't tell them- well, apart from dropping in just now. Her natural flair and control let her almost get on level with the sea with the wingpack, barely on the throttle before hitting the brakes, not even needing her parachute here to stop herself. The amount of thrust she had at her disposal made it easy by being able to flare out the wingpack, almost like how a VTOL would pull in to land, a clean and gentle flare to stop and land with the jets helping to basically slow her decent down. Landing on the beach with a gentle stomp, the jaguar pulled her tinted helmet off her head and cut the jets, the wings folding back in as she laughed like a schoolgirl, almost running around in front and definitely on a high that Max could only tell was rare for the team's infiltrator. Anna may have been loaded up with an operational loadout, but there was no doubt for Max that she was having fun while doing so. "Oh my.....this thing is just crazy!" Anna yelped, Max standing up as he could only admire it, chuckling equally in response. She certainly had an experience with that thing- given the fact she'd basically landed precisely in front of them, no parachute needed to Max's eyes was insane- and he had no idea how much that might have messed with Cat and Silver. "Bloody hell...okay, that was cool. But you know you could have just come with us to the beach in the jeep if you really wanted to come, right?" Max cooly replied, winking to Silver and Cat as he did, Anna sighing as she still was catching her breath, almost consumed by what this thing could do. Vertical take-off and landing, plus covering ground like a minature jet fighter was just lucid to her, and Max couldn't say he wasn't pulling her strings a bit as the jaguar sighed, uncertain just how to reply. "Yeah, but this is way, way cooler." "If you say so..."</s> <\|message\|>Silverwind Blade Silver's ears flicked and he frowned, and looked around curiously as Max pointed out the sound, with Cat soon doing the same thing. She sat up, shieding her eyes with her hands and squinting up into the skies, while Silver did the same thing from his elbows-back position. Both looked on in amazement and interest as Anna swooped over the beach, performing her elegant and spectacular manoeuver, before coming in for a dramatic landing. Silverwind applauded with a grin, while Cat gave a whistle of appreciation. Like Max, the pair stood up, dusting the sand off of themselves and moving closer to get a better look at the powered wing suit. Silver moved around Anna as she spoke to Max, admiring the suit and getting a closer look. "No kidding that's cool, Anna" he commented after she and Max had said their piece. "I can already imagine how much it's gonna change things... and how much fun it is," he said with a grin and a wag of his tail. "We're all going to be flying everywhere pretty soon," he said with a shake of his head. "Changing the way we do things fer sure".</s>	<\|message\|>Anna Marina "Spectre" Caldeira Anna chuckled, looking across to the Colonel as she turned, looking at her wing before back to the vulpine in command, clearly a little more opened up by the whole thing. "Maybe not too soon....this thing's an absolute nightmare to pilot. I might make it look easy but what can I say, if I wasn't a jaguar I'd be a falcon, maybe. But hey, I'm sure they'll sort you all out soon enough." Anna commented, chuckling as Max in turn chuckled, shaking his head. "And I'd be a jellyfish but here we are. Not a bad way of making an entrance. Now this is a bit of kit I need to procure. Not for operations, but just...you know, because." Max commented, Anna pffing in response, shrugging as she chuckled to herself, looking on. "So how about the three of you then? Were you having a calm time before I came and interrupted?" Anna asked, Max nodding, Anna sighing a little as Max laughed in response, patting her shoulder as she looked up, sighing. "Absolutely. We were doing absolutely nothing....then you flew by. Literally." Max added, chuckling, Anna shrugging as she looked back to Silverwind and Cat, sighing a little about Max. She was a little too serious sometimes, even if right now she was a little euphoric about how this thing worked. "Yeah, I have that effect. Anyway, the system all works. Allows me to carry the usual, Colonel. So consider me good to go." She said, nonchalantly taking the topic back to their operations, an effect perhaps Max didn't really appreciate as he himself walked around her, then back at the cliffs, sighing. "Shit, you really never stop, do you? Silver, as I said, there's your person who can infiltrate anything, but R&R is way too difficult for her..." Max mused, Anna shrugging as she widened her stance, flicking her wings out again. Ah, so she was going just as fast as she arrived, Max realised. Scooping her helmet back over her head, she chuckled back to Max, giving a menacing grin. "Yep...and on that note...I will leave you to what do you do best then, Max!" She called out, the jets starting up with a gentle whine again as the sand kicked up, Anna running down the beach as she slowly cranked up the volume, before turning it up to pull her away, the wingpack acting effectively as a jetpack, and pulling her over the waves, before she cranked up the volume literally and metaphorically. Max's mouth was ajaw, watching as she casually went from a slow hover into a fast flight, climbing in speed and acceleration at a rate that must have been simply searing to watch from the shore. Max had to admit, as much as Anna pissed him off, she had a talent for these things. Turning to the Colonel, Max shrugged, sighing. With Cat and Silver, he felt more at home enjoying the rest of R&R, and while he understood her intentions, and just how phenominal she could be, especially now, making easy what probably no Arvaran had done, it was dealing with her quirk that could easily irk some. "She's bloody difficult, Silver. But you know what they say. Best assets are the ones that are your most difficult, or in Anna's case...well, she has her way."</s>
<\|description\|>Marcus 'Janus' Waller Hunter by trade, Marcus is employed to bring in - or down - targets who threaten the peace in the land. \| 31 He was lowborn and raised, scrapping for everything he had until finding himself apprenticed as a hunter and now he thinks he's just found the witch to make his name famous to those who matter.</s> <\|message\|>Marcus 'Janus' Waller And so the hunt begins... --- Peeling paint and chipped wooden fencing spoke volumes to just how destitute this village had become under the rule of the Hierarchy. Everything seemed to be forlorn, lagging in the gentle breeze that came down from the hills on the other side of the lake. Moss and grass had wormed through the asphalt of the roads and people seemed to walk everywhere, making the asphalt itself redundant as it was. The stench of fishing clung to the air and gave everything a salty texture. The air, the people, and even the buildings seemed built to suit a single purpose and that purpose was fast fading. Yet they had the sun, and the fresh air! Marcus knew of people living in some of the new Common-Plexes who would never see or feel either ever again. Did these folk not realise just how lucky they were? Perhaps, he mused, it was hard to when for many of them they had probably known a better time. Even so, the lack of homelessness was a delightful break from the poverty that clung to larger cities and Marcus made sure to offer a toothy grin to the inhabitants he passed. Most starred with unabashed intrigue, clearly strangers did not venture out here often, and he did not want to alert any of them to the quite serious reason for his arrival. There was nothing he could do about them taking a guess given the equipment he had thrown over his person and he spent far more of his attention scouring dark windows and creaking doors for anybody staring too hard. He was here to hunt a Wytch. The ones he had brought in before had all been manipulative, devious, and sly creatures; he knew to be on his guard in places like this. Turning down a lane that wound around a fairly large squarish house Marcus passed a grand public garden and whistled at its beauty. Winding creepers adorned old stonework that structured a maze of multicoloured flowers and the scent was overpowering, even with the wind blowing down and forcing folk into the collars of their coats. She was here then. It was entirely natural and absolutely not. There wasn't a chance something was doing that to the place and Marcus knew it had to be whatever kind of powers the Wytch possessed. He had never been privy to such things or how they worked, he trusted in the reliability of science and technology, but he couldn't deny these magics had some strength. It was why he subtly shifted and clicked the protective cover off of the holster where his gun remained stowed. Arounds the side of the garden he could see down a winding path to the lake. It sat quite still, a perfectly serene pool of glittering light that reflected from the sun. Boats had been pulled up onto the bank on one side and even from here Marcus could spy some figures going about the business of making them watertight again. His eyes shifted on quickly and he spied the blackened house. Perhaps an old fisherman's house? Odd they hadn't demolished it yet, but then Marcus was all too aware of official inertia and the time it took any government controlled place to do anything. Whistling a jaunty tune he made off down the track and kicked little piles of mud that had been pushed up by moles. He was enjoying himself, he had no doubt, and Marcus was looking forward to a chance to clean his face and sit quietly for a brief moment. He felt freed from the prison of the RamRails. He could afford five minutes to himself. Moving the opposite way up the path a young boy came trotting back, big eyes watching Marcus as he passed. The older hunter gave the lad a nod and smiled but the boy remained totally stony, even stopping and moving out of the way. It was odd, as if the boy was accusing him of some crime but Marcus didn't know which one. Nothing to do but press on and so Marcus just carried on his way and meandered down to the water before leaning down to cup the cool refreshing liquid and drink greedily from his hand. It wasn't the cleanest water and the gritty bits of dirt reminded him not to have too much, but compared to the hydration pills it was better than ambrosia. Gulping a few more mouthfuls he then used another to wipe down the back of his neck before standing and looking around. He came to look at the blackened building and he was overcome by intrigue. He was an adventurer at heart and a quick nose wouldn't do any harm. Moving closer, Marcus got a better idea of just how decrepit this place was. It seemed to groan and almost shift in the breeze as if it might collapse at any moment. He would have to be careful. Climbing the stars to a landing and pushing at the cracked door he peered inside and froze. The door had fallen inwards and sitting in the middle of the soot coated communal space were all the signs of a squatter. Patches of dirt cleaned by the presence of a blanket or something, the remains of a dinner tucked into a basket, and the stench of someone living without indoor plumbing over the top of something far more… arcane. Marcus ran back from the house in a start. She had been here! She had to have been, and recently. His memory recalled the boy and he cursed. Clearly he'd missed someone running away from him. But where had she gone? Back into the village was unlikely, but there were still many directions to go. She could have headed towards the fishermen, or up towards the hills, down into the forests… or even just out across the plains! Marcus cursed again, more loudly this time, and then drew four plate sized discs from the back of his belt. With a click he activated them and watched as the smaller drones whirred into life then lifted into the air. A dancing of fingers on his wrist companion sent them shooting into the sky and veering about to begin searching the area. It would be slower than he liked but the best he could manage. Even so, Marcus didn't want to stand still and he weighed up the options. He didn't know much about his quarry… except the garden! Plants. She must have done something to the plants. Breaking into a trot down towards the forest he hoped he was making the right call.</s> <\|message\|>Earie DeAray If you're going to be anything in the forest… Don't be the prey. --- Normally Earie would have had a better escape plan. She would have been gone long before the Hierarchy sent their hunters. Clearly they were getting smarter now, which meant that she would have to as well. Though now was not the time to think of such silly things as the future, right now was the time to get through the forest and disappear. She had just gotten to the edge of the forest as the hair on the back of her neck stood, causing a shudder to come over her. A sign that her current threshold had been entered. Though if it was the hair standing or the fact this hunter was so close that caused the shudder, she couldn't be sure. This forest was quite the large one, full to the brim of animals which the villages around hunted for food. Yet the longer Earie herself was running through it, the quieter it seemed to get around her. An odd side effect of having a being with magic within it. Though at the moment, running for her life, the deafening quietness was unnerving. As if her footsteps echoed, though she knew they would not. After a while of running she had to stop to catch her breath, she knew that whomever had to be far enough behind. Between her head start and the denseness of the forest itself for someone who hadn't been in it. Looking around she saw a slight indent of a path someone had made, there was likely a hunters post around somewhere. This was where it looked like they pulled the wagons of their kill through. Taking the bottom of her dress she pulled the dress until a piece ripped from it. Sticking it on the lower thorn bush muttering a spell as a clear set of footprints headed down the open trail. Before heading through the rougher part of the woods the other way. If she was lucky this one would fall for the simple trick as many had before him. After all, what person would rather fight their way through the rougher patch when the path could lead to help? An idiot that was who. As if they wouldn't turn her over to a hunter of the Hierarchy, if they were even there. By the time she was able to see the edge of the forest, her feet were killing her. Her chest hurt from running, arms and legs cut up slightly from the thorns and thick woods she had run through. However, she knew this would be a straight shot once she got out of the woods. Just over the field between villages she could catch a trolley to get farther away. Of course she wouldn't stop at the next town ahead, maybe a few…...the sight of a plate sized disc caught the corner of her eye. Well fuck. She cussed under her breath before twisting her fingers and muttering a spell. The plate sized disc caught fire before it blew up. Had she the time to enjoy the effect of her brand new spell she might have. However, the explosion was rather loud in the quiet forest. Pushing her way through the opening into the clearing she took a deep breath before starting her way through the open field.</s>	<\|message\|>Marcus 'Janus' Waller When trying to 'see the forest for the trees,' you can't see the forest when completely lost in the thick of it. --- The days cooped up in the carriage hadn't done wonders for the fitness of the hunter but, with the fresh air beginning to whip across his face and the scent of wild flowers swirling, Marcus felt alive in a way he hadn't done so for a very long time. Trapped in the spires and towers of the bigger cities where clouds of smog choked the heart and soul of folk. Out here, amidst the wilds and nature that still hadn't been corrupted by the Hierarchy there was an energy. The blood pumped gently as he fell into a steady rhythm jogging towards the winding trunks of the trees that rose before him. Stories suggested that eyes would constantly be watching him from under dark, shadowy boughs but he couldn't see them. Either they were very good or they weren't actually there. Deeper and deeper Marcus ran, finding the latter explanation of no creatures to be ever more convincing. Strange, he reasoned, as the patchwork of trees was broken by the rutted and worn dirt tracks left by beasts. These made the journey somewhat easier. The thick jacket and hunting equipment protected him from whipping branches and long tangles of nettles that tried to rake his skin. Despite this he still struggled, however. He didn't know the routes and paths of the forest and with his head lowered to the ground to try and follow any path that he might find, he wasn't paying attention to obstructions ahead. He collided with trees more times than he cared to count and was just glad that none of the other hunters were around to see it. Finally, he came to a small clearing and chuckled to himself. A tear of clothing was caught on the branches of some thorns and seemed to show faint prints leading towards one of the animal tracks. It made sense, he reasoned, that the witch would make for a quicker route and it meant he'd be able to avoid the worse of the rough foliage. The plan seemed so perfect, until the wrist companion chimed over and over to indicate a drone had found something. Loading the small camera feed, a little shaky image displayed a woman breaking from the cover of the forest and onto a field. The locator pinged a direction vastly different to the one the tracks led and he swore. He hated tricksy prey, they almost always weren't worth the bounty they warranted. Still, he had a job to complete and dove back into the thickets and bracken. The ping of the drone was the guidance he needed until it was gone. A loud boom not too far ahead coincided with the loss of the drone. Confused, he paused briefly to inspect the feed and noted the hand signal that preceded static. The witch was also dangerous, it seemed, and Marcus cursed the contract once more. She knew she had been spotted, now he needed to up the tempo and close the distance. Luckily, a hunt was everything he had trained for and his physical fitness was the strongest asset he had, next to some technological gadgetry. When the edge of the forest came into view sweat ran down the forehead of the hunter in thick beads and his hair stuck back against his skin. Blood pumped loudly in his ears but he knew he could, and would have to, go further yet. Breaking cover he stood on the edge of the field he had seen before and scanned the near distance. It took two sweeps before he spotted the moving form of a figure ahead of him. She was close, but still so far away, and there was bound to be further tricks yet. He had to slow her down somehow. Initially, he broke back into a run. He couldn't allow any further distance to be built between them. Secondly, he typed in a command to the two remaining drones to circle in on his position so he could dispatch them to monitor the witch from a distance he reckoned was safe. He knew if she made it to another patch of cover like a forest again he'd find everything more difficult and he wanted to head her off before she could make for the… the RamRails. Lines of them weren't too far on the other side of the field and if she made it onto a rail he couldn't do anything to stop her. He didn't have a rifle, he didn't have a partner, he didn't even have a friend in the tracks that might tell him the destination of the Rails she jumped on. He did have some explosives. Not much good for throwing from here but he had a few things that were faster. Reaching down he deposited two microgrenades into his palm and set the charges to detonate on impact. A drone was summoned a moment later and typing in further commands, he set it a single task. To fly up, over, and ahead of the target to drop the grenades. It was his hope the explosions would divert the witch off her trajectory enough that he could close the distance to within shouting distance.</s>
<\|description\|>Earie DeAray 29\|Witch Born the middle child, and the only witch in her family. Earie was raised in a middle class family, and has committed many crimes against the hierarchy causing her to go on the run.</s> <\|message\|>Earie DeAray Remember, wanted "dead or alive" is always the same thing. --- Asher off the Brightlingsea, a small little fishing village that the hierarchy overlooked completely until the summer. Its main export was a fish that was considered a delicacy. They would come in the summer and fish it into near extinction, spoiling the poor people who lived there with their money. Then leave at the end of summer, for the rest of the year. Collecting their money back as taxes. It was sad really, though not as sad as the patriot of the hierarchy. Who was a drunken gambler, and far too easy to convince Earie would turn him into a toad, fry him, and eat him if he brought her presents here. The village itself was beautiful in terms of nature. That was starting to fight its way into life with spring starting to set in. With the winds however, people were still forced into their coats. Though the village town center garden was a sight to behold. Normally it would have been just beginning to bloom in this weather. Yet it stood lively and bright. A small token and show of power Earie had given villagers carelessly. It would die as soon as she left of course. Long before the hunters would come looking for her. However, it had earned her some favor though. Now the villagers were her eyes with the understanding that if she was ever caught, she wouldn't rat. In terms of buildings, the village was rather run down. Most of the buildings clearly needed a fresh coat of paint. Or a few things fixed here or there. Towards the lake there was even a house that obviously had caught on fire quite a few times. The outside charred. It had been abandoned. At least until the young witch had found her way into town and began squatting there. The short brunette rubbed her brow slightly as her fingers reached up taking the lantern that provided light in the room with one hand and a small bag in the other. Its inner walls were still black from the soot, and floors damaged and the house might have still smelt of smoke. Though it was possible part of that smell might have been from some of the spells she was trying. It hadn't been the one Earie was expecting, but it would be great for some defense. Still with the windows boarded up it did make it slightly hard to breathe. For the last two months at least this had been her home though. It was nowhere near the niceties she had years again, but it had been safe for the time. Had having to be on the move not became her normal, she would miss it. Sitting the lantern on the hard wooden floor, she put all of her strength into pulling the heavy wooden board open before grumping slightly. With some annoyed mumbling and a hand gesture, the door opened quickly and she had to catch it could open all the way and fall on her again. So maybe that she wouldn't miss. Taking a deep breath Earie's light brown eyes looked around the beautiful lakeside in front of the house. The dress she wore moving slightly in a slight breeze. It once had been really nice at one time, the type of clothing that was expected for a proper middle class lady to wear. Now though it was definitely worn. Her boots, lightweight regular boots that came to her knees to keep her legs warm and protected while in the woods. Grabbing the messenger bag that carried everything she needed to keep, Earie headed towards the lake. She sat beside the lake dropping her hands into the water mumbling again. The water warmed at her touch, the point she was able to clean arms and face up with it. "Aye, witchy lady!" Earie looked up to see one of the village boys headed her way, and put a finger to her lips to tell him to quiet down. The boy rolled his eyes as he got closer but obliged. "I got a basket from village since you're headin' out." The boy said, handing her the basket, which she immediately started to go through. Bread, dried meats and fruits, a flask of water, and from the smell of it one full of gin. Along with a few small items she could probably trade later. With a bit of a smile Earie opened her bag digging until she found some money to hand the boy. "Those are some weird looking books you got there." Earie snapped her bag shut. "That they are, you should probably forget you saw those, yeah? They got me in a lot of trouble to get." She said frowning a bit as she handed the boy some money for his trouble. The boy quickly grabbed the money with his greedy hands and nodded a bit, still looking at her bag. "Now run along." The boy frowned a bit at the fact he wouldn't be able to sate his curiosity and started to head off. "Oh, s'pose you should know. There's some homeless guy wonderin' around town. That's the same you were lookin' for right?" He added as he headed off. Earie's eyes widened a bit as she cussed under her breath and started stuffing the items into her bag quickly. Shit, they had moved a lot quicker this time. If this was another of the hierarchies grooms. Normally she would be months ahead of them. Grabbing her bag she headed for the woods.</s> <\|message\|>Marcus 'Janus' Waller And so the hunt begins... --- Peeling paint and chipped wooden fencing spoke volumes to just how destitute this village had become under the rule of the Hierarchy. Everything seemed to be forlorn, lagging in the gentle breeze that came down from the hills on the other side of the lake. Moss and grass had wormed through the asphalt of the roads and people seemed to walk everywhere, making the asphalt itself redundant as it was. The stench of fishing clung to the air and gave everything a salty texture. The air, the people, and even the buildings seemed built to suit a single purpose and that purpose was fast fading. Yet they had the sun, and the fresh air! Marcus knew of people living in some of the new Common-Plexes who would never see or feel either ever again. Did these folk not realise just how lucky they were? Perhaps, he mused, it was hard to when for many of them they had probably known a better time. Even so, the lack of homelessness was a delightful break from the poverty that clung to larger cities and Marcus made sure to offer a toothy grin to the inhabitants he passed. Most starred with unabashed intrigue, clearly strangers did not venture out here often, and he did not want to alert any of them to the quite serious reason for his arrival. There was nothing he could do about them taking a guess given the equipment he had thrown over his person and he spent far more of his attention scouring dark windows and creaking doors for anybody staring too hard. He was here to hunt a Wytch. The ones he had brought in before had all been manipulative, devious, and sly creatures; he knew to be on his guard in places like this. Turning down a lane that wound around a fairly large squarish house Marcus passed a grand public garden and whistled at its beauty. Winding creepers adorned old stonework that structured a maze of multicoloured flowers and the scent was overpowering, even with the wind blowing down and forcing folk into the collars of their coats. She was here then. It was entirely natural and absolutely not. There wasn't a chance something was doing that to the place and Marcus knew it had to be whatever kind of powers the Wytch possessed. He had never been privy to such things or how they worked, he trusted in the reliability of science and technology, but he couldn't deny these magics had some strength. It was why he subtly shifted and clicked the protective cover off of the holster where his gun remained stowed. Arounds the side of the garden he could see down a winding path to the lake. It sat quite still, a perfectly serene pool of glittering light that reflected from the sun. Boats had been pulled up onto the bank on one side and even from here Marcus could spy some figures going about the business of making them watertight again. His eyes shifted on quickly and he spied the blackened house. Perhaps an old fisherman's house? Odd they hadn't demolished it yet, but then Marcus was all too aware of official inertia and the time it took any government controlled place to do anything. Whistling a jaunty tune he made off down the track and kicked little piles of mud that had been pushed up by moles. He was enjoying himself, he had no doubt, and Marcus was looking forward to a chance to clean his face and sit quietly for a brief moment. He felt freed from the prison of the RamRails. He could afford five minutes to himself. Moving the opposite way up the path a young boy came trotting back, big eyes watching Marcus as he passed. The older hunter gave the lad a nod and smiled but the boy remained totally stony, even stopping and moving out of the way. It was odd, as if the boy was accusing him of some crime but Marcus didn't know which one. Nothing to do but press on and so Marcus just carried on his way and meandered down to the water before leaning down to cup the cool refreshing liquid and drink greedily from his hand. It wasn't the cleanest water and the gritty bits of dirt reminded him not to have too much, but compared to the hydration pills it was better than ambrosia. Gulping a few more mouthfuls he then used another to wipe down the back of his neck before standing and looking around. He came to look at the blackened building and he was overcome by intrigue. He was an adventurer at heart and a quick nose wouldn't do any harm. Moving closer, Marcus got a better idea of just how decrepit this place was. It seemed to groan and almost shift in the breeze as if it might collapse at any moment. He would have to be careful. Climbing the stars to a landing and pushing at the cracked door he peered inside and froze. The door had fallen inwards and sitting in the middle of the soot coated communal space were all the signs of a squatter. Patches of dirt cleaned by the presence of a blanket or something, the remains of a dinner tucked into a basket, and the stench of someone living without indoor plumbing over the top of something far more… arcane. Marcus ran back from the house in a start. She had been here! She had to have been, and recently. His memory recalled the boy and he cursed. Clearly he'd missed someone running away from him. But where had she gone? Back into the village was unlikely, but there were still many directions to go. She could have headed towards the fishermen, or up towards the hills, down into the forests… or even just out across the plains! Marcus cursed again, more loudly this time, and then drew four plate sized discs from the back of his belt. With a click he activated them and watched as the smaller drones whirred into life then lifted into the air. A dancing of fingers on his wrist companion sent them shooting into the sky and veering about to begin searching the area. It would be slower than he liked but the best he could manage. Even so, Marcus didn't want to stand still and he weighed up the options. He didn't know much about his quarry… except the garden! Plants. She must have done something to the plants. Breaking into a trot down towards the forest he hoped he was making the right call.</s>	<\|message\|>Earie DeAray If you're going to be anything in the forest… Don't be the prey. --- Normally Earie would have had a better escape plan. She would have been gone long before the Hierarchy sent their hunters. Clearly they were getting smarter now, which meant that she would have to as well. Though now was not the time to think of such silly things as the future, right now was the time to get through the forest and disappear. She had just gotten to the edge of the forest as the hair on the back of her neck stood, causing a shudder to come over her. A sign that her current threshold had been entered. Though if it was the hair standing or the fact this hunter was so close that caused the shudder, she couldn't be sure. This forest was quite the large one, full to the brim of animals which the villages around hunted for food. Yet the longer Earie herself was running through it, the quieter it seemed to get around her. An odd side effect of having a being with magic within it. Though at the moment, running for her life, the deafening quietness was unnerving. As if her footsteps echoed, though she knew they would not. After a while of running she had to stop to catch her breath, she knew that whomever had to be far enough behind. Between her head start and the denseness of the forest itself for someone who hadn't been in it. Looking around she saw a slight indent of a path someone had made, there was likely a hunters post around somewhere. This was where it looked like they pulled the wagons of their kill through. Taking the bottom of her dress she pulled the dress until a piece ripped from it. Sticking it on the lower thorn bush muttering a spell as a clear set of footprints headed down the open trail. Before heading through the rougher part of the woods the other way. If she was lucky this one would fall for the simple trick as many had before him. After all, what person would rather fight their way through the rougher patch when the path could lead to help? An idiot that was who. As if they wouldn't turn her over to a hunter of the Hierarchy, if they were even there. By the time she was able to see the edge of the forest, her feet were killing her. Her chest hurt from running, arms and legs cut up slightly from the thorns and thick woods she had run through. However, she knew this would be a straight shot once she got out of the woods. Just over the field between villages she could catch a trolley to get farther away. Of course she wouldn't stop at the next town ahead, maybe a few…...the sight of a plate sized disc caught the corner of her eye. Well fuck. She cussed under her breath before twisting her fingers and muttering a spell. The plate sized disc caught fire before it blew up. Had she the time to enjoy the effect of her brand new spell she might have. However, the explosion was rather loud in the quiet forest. Pushing her way through the opening into the clearing she took a deep breath before starting her way through the open field.</s>
<\|description\|>Jacob Roan Arling Titles: Team: Red Sex: Male Alignment: Lawful Neutral History: The head of the Arling Magus Clan, Jacob was born into a fading lineage sometime in the late 17th century in England. Trapped in a slow, yet certain decline from both their own self destructive traditions as well as the damage done to their Magic Crest in the last hundred odd years, the Arling bloodline had all but their end as Magi. Jacob did not. Gaining entry into the Clock Tower of the Mage's Association at the age of thirteen, Jacob would spend the next few years in intense study and research looking for ways to help his family. Eventually he would come to the conclusion that the problem lay in the clan itself, and that drastic action would have to be taken. Leaving the Clock Tower around the age of nineteen he would travel the world for several years before eventually returning to his clan's estate and enacting a swift and brutal purge of those elements and individuals he felt were restricting their future. The next two hundred years would be spent restoring their family's fortunes, slowly repairing their Magic Crest, forging new connections and alliances and other necessary actions. Personality: A sharp and shrewd individual, Jacob hides his intelligence behind the mask of a erratic and eccentric child, matching that of his physical appearance rather than his actual age. He is quick to spiral in long tangents and tales, often without an end in sight, and becomes easily distracted by candies and pastries of all kinds, often carrying several sweets hidden on his person. He often shows a playful and childish persona, rarely taking things seriously, even when in mortal danger, simply smiling and offering a treat of some sort. Even when calm, he rarely is seen without a smile on his face and a gentle look in his eyes. To him things are not a matter of Good and Evil, but what benefits or hampers his clan. In this way, he is an ideal Magus. He can easily recognize the potential threat a person can be, and is always watching and analyzing someone new, even when they don't think he can see them. Magecraft Quality of Circuits: A Quantity of Circuits: D Elemental Affinity: Wind & Water Attribute: Flow/Transfer of Power, Reinforcement General Magecraft: The basics of Magecraft, while only a cursory education on them was given by his family, Jacob was quick to study and master these guidelines during his time in the Clock Tower. Of those spells, he became most adapt at the use of Formalcraft and Self-Healing Curses. Arling Clan Magecraft: The tradition mysteries of the Arling Lineage, it deals with the study and manipulation of the weather, specializing in the usage of large scale, area of effect type spells and rituals of the water and wind elements. Using this magecraft Jacob is capable of creating lashing torrents of rain, massive banks of blinding fog, gales of wind, and devastating storms of thunder and lightning. While many of the larger spells do indeed require either multiple participants or an increased time spent casting, Jacob is more than able to utilize this system of Thaumaturgy in order to augment his more basic elemental attacks and mysteries. Elemental Magecraft: Elemental manifestation and manipulation, it is a fairly basic magecraft dedicated towards the usage of the elements, most commonly as attacks in combat. Jacob himself utilizes the elements of Wind and Water and shows a decently high degree of control over both. He is, however, also able to use electricity by channeling the natural electromagnetic fields of the earth as well as the leftover remnants or building energies of a storm, utilizing his own body as a sort of focus. Botany and Herblore: A byproduct of the Arling's origin as Druids, and their history of using their magecraft for crop production, they possess a number of spells and mysteries related to the subject of various plants and alchemical concoctions made from them. This includes medicinal aids, poisons, sleep aids, fertility aids, elixirs for the safe activation of one's Magic Circuits, simple hygiene products, and even hair dye, etc. etc. Lifestream: Less a style of Magecraft than a specific ritual, the Lifestream is a technique Jacob developed late in his worldly travels, prior to his purge of the Arling clan. First properly utilized during his family's cleansing, the Lifestream channels the ambient magical energy, both from the surrounding land as well as any nearby living beings. Taking the form of wild electricity, the energy will slowly begin to drift towards the spellcaster before quickly gaining speed. It will then start to enter the magus' body as the energy is absorbed to prolong and maintain one's health and vitality. The usage of this ability is noted to be painful in the extreme, and the first proper activation nearly killed Jacob via what could only be described as a "Magical Overload", leaving him with numerous scars and burns across his body. Though Jacob has perfected the process somewhat, it is still extremely painful to use, and is a stop gap measure at best. While it will certainly slow his aging to a significant degree, it still causes intense stress towards the body, and it will eventually give out, even if physically he will never look older than middle aged at most. Mystic Codes Bandersnatch: Jacob's cane. It is crafted from specifically treated steel, and separates into several pieces connected by bronze wiring. By channeling electric magecraft and reinforcement magecraft along the cane Jacob is able to control and direct it's motion in the manner of a whip, capable of smashing through concrete and tearing through flesh. Non-Magecraft Abilities/Items: He is surprisingly gifted in the realm of gambling. Be it poker, blackjack, simple games of dice, etc. More often than not he is on the winning end of the bet receiving a hefty payout. He knows his way around the human body, and as such has considerable knowledge of the medical field. He can be trusted to fix and heal someone of all but the most grievous wounds, and has a vast understanding of mundane drugs and medications. °He enjoys cooking his own meals, while he is no master chef, he is more than capable of preparing and healthy and filling breakfast, lunch, or dinner. °His favourite meal is a simple breakfast of bacon, sausage, eggs (sunny side up), buttered toast, and light coffee. °He has several descendants living on the family estate in the forested hills of England. Of all of them, he only truly spoils and dotes on his "great-grandaughter" (farther along than that) Stella, A young girl who favours gardening and animals, though she has little magical potential herself. °Physically, he appears no older than 15 or 16 years old, in truth, he is 233.</s> <\|message\|>Rumi Fujou Master of Red - Rumi Fujou Rumi returned Assassin's smile as she made her offer. A coffee shop, hmm? Well, she supposed even Servants could tire of simply waiting and preparing all the time. Plus, it would be good to get a sense of what her Servant could really do firsthand. Yes, she supposed there were certainly risks involved with leaving their base for a simple cappuccino, but the positives were clear as well. Certainly, they were taking a risk of exposing themselves, but so was any Servant or Master of the Blue team that came gunning for them, let alone knew who they were already. So long as Assassin employed discretion, (which would be insane if she didn't, considering her class) there would be little chance of discovery. And it wouldn't quite do to anger or disappoint her own Servant. Rumi only had three Command Seals, after all, and she needed to sleep some time. Best to keep herself in the literal stealthy killer's good graces. That, and there was one other pressing reason why she was inclined to accepted Hanzo's offer... "But of course. The coffee the hotel provides us is terrible. I despise instant brews. Lead the way, Assassin." _____________________________________________________ Rider of Red - Cao Cao Cao Cao turned as he was spoken to, raising an eye at his newfound companion. Berserker, was it? One of those..."Christians" at that, if his murmurings about God were to tell. What an odd belief system, but apparently it and those related to it comprised of the majority of world religion. How curious. "Yes," He replied finally, nodding to the long-haired man. "There is always a risk of looking down from above, exposing yourself to all the world." Rider chuckled briefly. "Were I alive, I'd likely feel the need to relieve myself right over the edge, simply to amuse myself. Doing so atop cliffs always was good for a cheap laugh back in the day." The idea of allying himself with an utter madman as the Berserker class dictated left a sour taste in Cao Cao's mouth, but Berserker seemed more or less...alright without the influence of Mad Enhancement. Rough around the edges and wild, certainly, but some of his greatest generals during his lifetime had been that way. Xu Chu, Dian Wei... A frown passed briefly across Cao Cao's face before disappearing just as quickly as it came. There were more important matters at hand than wallowing over his mistakes. Such as understanding those he would fight alongside better. He was no unchallenged leader of this coalition. Not yet, at least. But he would play his part for now. Until his worth and suitability was recognized by the others. "Tell me, Berserker." Rider finally spoke, turning to his fellow Servant. "What makes you a madman? Devotion to your God? The Grail imparted knowledge of your...Christianity, but I find that knowing is not the same as understanding. Your faith never reached my land during my lifetime, but from what I have gleaned, your heavens disapprove of violence and murder, yes? Why join this war?"</s> <\|message\|>Shichishitō --- Christine Herphae & Thaleia Their room in the hotel/hotel hallway --- Christina fixed Hervor with a glare for a few moments before letting out a shout of frustration and going over to a wall, banging her head against it once. After that, she just settled back into her general ranting and raving. The wall came out worse than her head, if the dent said anything about it. Thaleia just let out a small sigh at the sight. She was going to have to fix that later. Quirking an eyebrow at Hervor, she let out a little eep as that beefy arm wrapped around her shoulder. There was a bit of a wide eyed look to her, and if she could blush, she would be blushing. "A-Ah, um, well... I-I'll be happy to show you around, Saber!" Her eyes darted to the door and she realized she had forgotten to do something! Her hands came together, her fingers touching a small band of gold on one of her rings. She twisted it about her fingers three times in rapid succession, a small phrase escaping her metallic lips. Hervor could likely feel a small flow of mana surround Thaleia, as her form wavered for a bit. For Hervor, it was easy to see through the illusion, but if she tried not to, she'd find Thaleia looking... like a regular human. Where once was a woman of the purest metals, now stood a short woman. Hair the same style as before, simply actual blond hair, blue eyed, with a long sleeved white blouse and a sunny yellow skirt. Glancing up at Hervor, she gave a nervous laugh as they exited the room. "N-Not supposed to head out without the illusion... N-Normal people would f-freak if they saw me." Glancing both ways down the hall, she motioned for her to follow as she started walking towards the elevators. Honestly, now that she actually had to do it, she had... no idea where to start! Great, just great. Literally guiding a legendary hero out of myth, and she had no idea where to start. Maybe... food! Food is always nice. "S-Soooo... W-Wanna get some food first Saber? I-It'll take us through a fair b-bit of the hotel, and y-you can see what modern food is like."</s>	<\|message\|>Jacob Roan Arling Jacob Arling, Master of Red, Red Faction Base Jacob stopped at the closed door with a hum, palming at his chin with one gloved hand, while his other reached out and grasped the cane that leaned against the wall. "Truthfully Caster, I feel the only thing we can talk about is the direction we want this War to go, as well as the direction it is most likely to go. As it stands, this Alliance of Red and the opposing Alliance of Blue are temporary constructs at best, they won't last once enough of the enemy has been eliminated", despite his words the redheaded Master continued to hold his carefree demeanor, A soft smile on his face and his eyes hidden by fiery locks, idly spinning his cane like a top. " While I truly mean you no offence, the fact remains that in a head-on conflict with any Servants save the Assassin's, the Caster of Blue, and possibly our Berserker, you and I are not in good standing to come out of this War with the Grail ourselves. We need information, and though we can get such insights into our faction with little trouble, the Blue Faction will be far more tricky", here he paused and clicked his tongue. From behind the bookshelves the sound of scurrying erupted and with a soft squeak a small gray squirrel appeared, running across the room and up the old Magus' body to rest comfortably on his shoulder. "I've heard talk of an effort to scout the holdings of the Blue, and while my darling Squirrels are all that's needed back home, I fear they'd be rather obvious here in old Troy. So I would hope, without disrespect O Magus from the Age of Gods, that you may possess a solution to these troubles? I obviously have no intention of sending you out there in person, but some spells of surveillance or familiars of your own could definitely solve the issue I think".</s>
<\|description\|>Uddøde hær af Hjörvarđr (Undead Army of Heoroweard) Class: Caster Team: Red True Name: Skuld, Wicked Elf Queen of Denmark Art by 爱欧 Caster's appearance is one that betrays the drops of inhuman blood flowing in her veins, given that her skin is an unnatural pale pallor, and her ears can only be described as elvish in shape. She is 5'6", and weighs an amount known only to the dead. While her eyes are usually closed shut, when opened they are an unusual rich gold, with pupils that cannot be differentiated from the surrounding iris with only the sclera of her eyes looking as it should. Sex: Female Alignment: Neutral Evil Attribute: Heaven History: Once, long ago, a hideous woman bade a man to give her the boon of staying within his home. She then bade of him the right to his bed, and he accepted. Therein, the hag transformed into a vision of beauty and the man forced himself upon her; Thought to be a dream by the man, the woman vanished only to appear three days after with a baby nestled against her. This was Skuld, the woman who would bring ruin to the Danes, and herself be brought low by vengeance. She would marry Haeroward, slay her own half brother, and cement her terrible power by raising an army, and then raising that same army from the dead to slay all who opposed her. Despite her great sorcery and terrible power, with her husband slain the wicked queen fell apart at the seams. All her waking moments were spent clutching his animated corpse, trapped in her own delusion of their private kingdom paradise. She was tortured endlessly for her betrayal, yet if asked about it, she would say she only regretted the death of her husband and would gladly die ten thousand times the same way if it meant he would have survived. Personality: Caster is...unusual and idiosyncratic, to say the least. She is prone to being very upbeat, cordial, and incredibly polite when dealing with others, but has been shown to be capricious within her own workshop, often creating something and initially boasting that it was a major breakthrough, only to discard it mere moments later as "gutter trash" before resuming her work. She is most certainly a disturbing individual, very comfortable around both death and the dying, often seeking out those about to die in order to re-purpose corpses, or simply to amuse herself. She is not above using underhanded tactics, thinking that so long as minimal losses are assured for her side, anything is fair game. In spite of her sinister nature, Caster proves to be somewhat...amicable to her allies. Caster, despite her macabre actions and rather sinister methodology of magecraft, is loyal to a fault. Her class of caster as well as her skillset being very unsuitable to a regular type of holy grail war results in her requiring an alliance with others, and, being in such a large one, Caster is more than content to oblige by the suggestions and orders of her fellow members of the ??? faction. Parameters: Strength: E Agility: D Endurance: C Mana: A+ Luck: C --- Class Skills Territory Creation: B The capacity for a Magus to establish territory, usually for the purpose of collecting and restoring mana. At this stage, the creation of a "Workshop" is possible, and as such Caster's limit is that of a relatively small sized building or room, in which her mana will gradually restore itself. In her Workshop she is able to cast spells for significantly less mana cost. In addition, she can sense the presence of others within her territory. Item Construction: B The ability of a Caster class servant to create magical items. Due to her legend in life never detailing her as creating any objects, it is a relatively low rank. With this she can only create the most basic of objects that can serve a magical purpose, basic remedies, and rudimentary weapons. Naturally, none of these are on par with Noble Phantasms. --- Personal Skills Seiðr: A+ A nordic form of magecraft that originated from the Vanir Gods . The magic itself is incredibly varied to the extent that if given enough time to parse the effects of a spell Caster is certainly able to replicate it with her extensive knowledge of Seiðr. In particular Caster's favored methods of using her magic are in the forms of enchantments, illusions, and necromancy. She is especially fond of the usage of necromancy, reflecting her legend as a literal raiser of armies. The magic itself is shamanistic in nature with a good number of spells requiring time to prepare. One of the most powerful spells she had ever conjured completely hid all of her husband's army, which amounted to over 10,000 warriors completely masked from senses both magical and physical. While she has nowhere near the capability to perform such a feat, making one person undetectable is well within her means. Blood of the Sun: C A weaker form of divinity formed from the link that elves shared with the Vanir and Aesir gods. As a half-elf, Caster's parameters have been given a slight boost, mostly to her Mana and Agility parameters, as well as her magecraft capabilities. This also confers with it a slight degree of Magic Resistance, at least on the level of D rank Magic Resistance. Allegiance of Spirit: B A skill that formed from Caster's deep unshakeable loyalty to those she most trusts. This skill can only affect a single person at a time and cannot boost a human master's capabilities, instead letting them tap into her workshop's mana reserves to replenish their own. Over the course of a Holy Grail War, the devotion Caster shows to a single individual can begin to manifest as a supplemental mana source that they are capable of drawing upon for whatever needs they have. In addition, the servant will find itself capable of drawing on the mana present within Caster's workshop if it finds itself in need of restoration of their health and staving off the effects of curses that damage the Servant. Once her trust is lost it cannot be regained. Caster can assign this skill to any target she has trust in at any time, changing who receives and benefits from the effects. --- Noble Phantasms: Rank: B Type: Anti-Army Range: 1-100 Description: A summoning Noble Phantasm that uses a great number of corpses, numbering in the thousands. While the mana cost for this noble phantasm is staggeringly high, it can be lowered significantly with a tribute of over a thousand corpses. The summoned beings number in the tens of thousands, all skeletal recreations of those who fought and died for Heoroweard's quest for kinghood. Leading the charge himself is her reanimated husband, who's arms manifest only as a ghostly apparition, with a ghastly blade clenched between non-existent fingers. The individuals skeletons and cadavers are relatively weak compared to any servant and have an equivalent stat of E-- at all times. Heoroweard's form is greatly strengthened via Caster's eternal love for him. In terms of stats, he himself would be on par with a powerful Saber class servant, capable of going toe to toe with nearly any normal servant in a Holy Grail war. He cannot, however, be summoned without the army being in place, and if enough of them are eradicated, Caster will have no choice but to end her Noble Phantasm early. In addition, any individuals killed within the radius of the Noble Phantasm with the exception of servants will be forced to rise and join the army, skin and flesh dissolving to free their bones for the endless march for the true king of Denmark.</s> <\|message\|>Shichishitō --- Christine Herphae & Thaleia Their room in the hotel --- Thaleia blinked a bit as Hervor spoke, having to tilt her head backwards a bit to look the towering giant of a woman in the eye... Okay, she had no clue what to say here. How in the world does someone start explaining the modern world to someone... Well, Mother did, so she would probably be able to due it. But she still hadn't learned everything about everything yet, so how in the world was she going to do it! So lost in thought on what to do, she didn't actually really notice Hervor inspecting her, or leave to go to the window. She only noticed Hervor had left when she spoke up again, jumping slightly and looking at her. Christine turned as she was addressed by her Servant, squinting at her for a moment... She wanted to punch her. Despite the fact that she'd more than likely break her hand on her face, at that moment, she wanted to punch her in that smug grin. Gritting her teeth, she jabbed a finger at that DAMN sword! "Oh I'll share my woes with you! Out of all the servants I could have summoned, I got one of the small selection with a CURSED weapon! Meaning that no, I cannot study the damn thing! Can't take notes, can't even see the thing! Half of the reason I was excited about this war was the fact I'd likely get to study some items from the Age of the Gods! Do you REALIZE how valuable that kind of information would be?!" She proceeded to descend into a lengthy technical rant about how Mystic Codes had declined over time, and why being able to study something like her sword would be so valuable. Thaleia took a step up besides Hervor, letting out a small sigh and looking up at the towering woman again... Really was kind of intimidating being next to her. "S-Sorry about Mother, she is rather... passionate about her work. She'll get over it eventually, but for now, she's gonna be ranting for a while. I-If you want, we could see if any of the other members of the team are about? O-Or at least check out the area, see where everything is?"</s> <\|message\|>Hastings Blenda Eldberg --- Reclining in the chair in her room, Blenda studied the map of Çanakkale hung on the wall surrounded by the photographs of various landmarks and buildings of interest across the city with further notes attached to them giving a short description of the locales as well as the location of their base circles in bright blue marker. Sighing, she grabbed a pair of dice and rolled them on the table in front of her before closing her eyes for a moment. The ritual Hector Bahadir has devised was quite an interesting puzzle, she had to admit, up to and including accounting for, no, active inclusion of, enemy forces. So many moving parts and so many variables, some of which were so incredibly hard to predict the path of, and that was before one included Servants. Truly, a chaotic mess that would either blow up in the man's face spectacularly or succeed beyond anyone's wildest imagination. Chuckling, she opened her eyes and leaned forward, looking at the dice. Three and nine. Still, of all Servants, she did not expect to summon Berserker, even one as apparently lucid as hers have so far been. Reckless as she may sometimes have appeared, she wondered what it said about her to draw the wielder of madness? Clicking her tongue, she dismisses her thoughts, irrelevant as they were to the situation. "Berserker" she calls "would you prefer to familiarize yourself with the city or perhaps interact with our allies?" --- Archer of Blue - William --- Standing at the top of the mansion, William surveys the land before her, brows furrowed in concentration even though she sees with little clarity even things at the bottom of the building, directly underneath her. An interesting situation, to find herself in. She knew her way with a bow of course, what warrior would she be had she not after all, but to be summoned as the hero of the bow simply on the account of the way The Usurper have died... Snorting, she lets her mind wander. Being on the defensive is unusual enough for her as it is, but to know next to nothing of enemy's capabilities... Infuriating and worrying in equal measure. There are so many ways things can go wrong on a campaign caused by lack of information. Shaking her head, she makes her decision. No time to dwindle, better be proactive and secure some additional ground beyond just main fort. One castle is all well and good, but it cannot hold entire country, no matter how well placed. No, she will need a lot more before she feels secure about letting the enemy approach. First, the city. Then, the war. And after that... who knows, the world will be ripe for picking anew. Master, I am venturing into the city to secure forward positions. She adds as an afterthought. It's hard to remember that she had a partner in this, with how quiet they were. But, perhaps, it was for the better that they left the war for those whose trade it was. Smiling, William jumps down, ready to appropriate one of this era's steeds, motorbikes they were called if she recalls correctly. She was in a hurry, but not so much as to not enjoy a ride and survey of what would be hers.</s>	<\|message\|>Uddøde hær af Hjörvarđr (Undead Army of Heoroweard) Caster of Red - Skuld "Did you sleep well, my Master?" Within the air above Jacob Arling, a slight change in pressure could be observed as something moved, flickering particles of light blue converging on a singular point before, as if the air itself was being painted over, the pallid woman that was his Servant emerged. Her feet were firmly pressed against the ceiling, transfixed as if her heels were bolted there like a chandelier before she released her hold on the material. Her descent was gradual, until she stood beside Jacob's desk, off to the left of his seat. Her eyeless gaze would fall upon him as she considered for a moment whether taking the chocolate was a good idea or not. "I do not know much about the sweets of this time...but I would not turn down an offer from you. If anything is to be discussed first, then let it be this..." Skuld said, before the strange eyes she possessed opened and stared at Jacob. "To win this war on your behalf, many will die. That is an unavoidable requirement of my Noble Phantasm. There cannot be victory without sacrifice, my master. Blood will fill the grail you seek, but you have time yet to reconsider," the elven caster said, before slowly fixing her gaze on the bar of chocolate, the pointed ears sticking from the sides of her head flicking to and fro in a wiggling motion. "...What flavor is it?"</s>
<\|description\|>La Parca De Mictlan Class: Lancer Team: Blue Team True Name: Santa Muerte, Lady of Shadows, Our Lady of Holy Death Sex: Female Alignment: Lawful Evil Attribute: Heaven History: There was a farm somewhere in Old Mexico. There lived a father, a mother and an only daughter. Whose smile had given both of them hope in the hard times. They were an impoverished Spanish noble family making ends meet. Their investments gone, their wealth all but vanished. All they have left is each other but even then it did not last long. One day, the father died, lashes on his body when the Spanish Inquisition arrived to bury the body in what they deemed was hallowed ground. The mother had lost all hope and it was only she and her daughter to work the farm. The little girl asked her mother about the native's beliefs, about a paradise that awaits them and asked if her father was there. She was naive and idealistic as are all young girls at a mature age in an isolated environment. The mother did not answer and encouraged her daughter to work the farm instead of the nonsense. The girl tended crops, milked goats, catered feeds. All her father should have done. Her mother was growing old and was forced to stay in their home, leaving her vulnerable to the temptation of the world awaiting her outside the farm. The girl met an Aztec who was captivated by her beauty… so much so that he had kidnapped her, stripped her and was lashed nonstop. They were speaking in chants, in a language that she could understand, were it not for farm work she would have died from the intense pain of their whips. She was later rescued by the Inquisition, saliva drooling, tears crying and her clothes and body showing signs of tear and redness. There were no scars on her body but on her mind and it would remain with her for the rest of her life. When she was brought home, her Mother had been taking care of her for weeks, she was breathing but she was sleeping for far too long. The girl would meet someone that looked nearly identical to her, clad in red, a devilish smile, saying that the people that punished her are not worthy to enter the City of Mictlan and offered her a Contract to become her Enforcer. In turn, she had only asked that her mother would be at peace. With the snap of her fingers. The girl woke up to her mother's cold hand grasping her. An exchange of lives. The girl would, later on, do the divine will of the Aztecan Death Gods to the point where her mind had fragmented but even when her mind was in this state there are instances that her duty as a crazed grim reaper and the innocent farm girl would never co-exist. She had appeared in various instances throughout Latin America where people are dying, wherever she was, they would die not long after like a peaceful rest. She died at the hands of the Inquisition in the same way she was blessed. Tied, crucified and lashed to death for "taking God's place". Her skin was peeled off from the whips, leaving only bone and all she could muster was the crazed skeletal smile before her owl-like screams echo across the land. Personality: Santa Muerte comes off as a young lady with virtually no mannes but she does have the air of innocence around her, a pretty smile to show her good intentions. She reveals this side of herself to her Master and those she thinks are her Master's allies. Of course one should not be fooled by this wholesome appearance for there is another side to that seemingly sinless smile. This side is supposedly shown towards her enemies, the look of a crazed woman who only knows how to kill. Sadistic? Hardly, she believes that people that sleep forever can live forever in a World governed by the Lord and Lady of Mictlan. Parameters: Strength: D Agility: C Endurance: D Mana: A Luck: D Class Skills Rank B Magic Resistance - Cancel spells with a chant below three verses. Even if targeted by High-Thaumaturgy and Greater Rituals, it is difficult for them to be affected. Personal Skills Rank A Protection of the Faith - It is a Skill possessed only by those who have sacrificed themselves for a religious view. Despite being a form of divine protection, it is not a blessing from a higher existence. It is the absoluteness of one's body and mind that was born from their beliefs. But if it is too high, it causes abnormalities in the personality. It is for this reason that Santa Muerte isn't always the nice village girl, she actually has psychotic tells, visual changes could be seen with her eyes, hair and clothing for the most part. Rank C Keeper of the Owls - A skill possessed by Lancer that allows her to create owls with pitch black feathers and blue eyes, in Mesoamerican Culture. Owls were depicted as a messenger of death and destruction and at one point, the favored form of Mictlantecuhtli, The Death God of Mictlan. These owls are capable of marking targets for Santa Muerte to track, almost acting like a curse at the cost of the familiar's own life. These owls usually cry or sing and anyone that makes eye contact would be cursed with the mark. The more marks one has, the more their presence can be tracked, like a thread that can be followed. Rank B Affection of the Death Gods - A skill possessed by one being loved by the Lord and Lady of Mictlan: Mictlantecuhtli and Mictecacihuatl. Skills similar to this often grant their chosen, status rank ups, Noble Phantasm permissions, Skill additions and etcetera. In Lancer's case. She was permitted the use of the Noble Phantasm of the Grim Reaper, his scythe which was known to bear the concept of Death as well as granting her a presence similar to the Underworld in Aztec Myth and Folklore, its principle of "death conducting easily against itself" is a common aspect of Underworld understanding. Although not as prominent or powerful as a certain Pseudo-Servant from Ancient Mesopotamia, this allows her to gain a significant advantage over spirits, ghosts, and even Servants. The skill in question synergizes well with her Noble Phantasm. Noble Phantasms: Title: The Wandering Scythe Of Holy Death Rank: B+ Type: Anti-Unit Range: 2-5 Targets: 1 Description: Originally the Noble Phantasm of the Grim Reaper, because of a certain Skill. Santa Muerte is able to utilize the scythe to a certain extent. The scythe itself has the concept of Death and when struck against anything with a soul or a spirit, in essence, it would be similar to cutting lines that represent "life", taking it away as soon as it is cut or traced. Upon a True Name Release, Luck no longer plays the part, all that matters is if her opponent can dodge a truly fatal blow. However one does not necessarily have to invoke its true name for the scythe to hack away at someone's life force. While not being able to cut lines of "life" without invoking its Name. It does however cut away one's force of providence, essentially lowering their Luck stat and increasing their chances of dying in general. While it does not grant Lancer the ability to see these lines, it does however do that on its own. Her legend stems around the girl bringing a scythe, this particular scythe could end a living being's life as if she were cutting a thread of silver. The Lancer class is an unusual container for someone like Santa Muerte to be summoned in. In this container, she is only allowed to be the summoned with the scythe and all her other Noble Phantasms sealed behind.</s> <\|message\|>Uddøde hær af Hjörvarđr (Undead Army of Heoroweard) Caster of Red - Skuld A small smile graced Caster's face as her ideas were approved of. It seemed that even despite her reserved nature, praise had its desired effect on her. Or, maybe she was just really hoping to make a good impression on her master. Either way, she would look a bit happier as she raised the unfinished chocolate to her lips and bit into it, dull eyes conveying nothing, but her lively ears sprung up and down for a brief instant. "Let us be off then. I cannot leave you alone with another servant. Not until I'm certain we can trust them. I walk in your shadow, my Master," Caster stated, entering her spirit form and following Jacob. The ancient master could sense the transient state of the mana that comprised Caster's form was trailing behind him at a respectful distance, perhaps fearing to cause discomfort to her master... Or, perhaps she was just walking slowly to savor the lingering taste of chocolate and caramel. Either way, there was nothing to indicate that Caster had anything but the best intentions for her Master, which, if Jacob had already been privy to her True Name already was true to her nature. A being that was loyal to their master to an obssessive degree, willing to topple nations, to destroy her own family, to wage war against the world simply because she was asked to... That is who Skuld was. And that is who she shall remain forevermore. A beast that didn't question why out of morality, but of efficiency. A servant that didn't belong amongst the more heroic members of her team. As such, she wouldn't try to, unless approached about it. Trust wasn't something earned easily, but was something that should never be broken easily.</s> <\|message\|>Yao Ying Xi Oni no Hanzo, by her Master's side, at a discreet cafe. --- Smiling, she held her Master's hand. There was no flurry, fanfare or any grandiose effects, just the changing of the scenery, a single snap as if turning on a light. Hanzo had already brought her Master to an alley close to the cafe she had mentioned, her shadows having already made sure no one was watching. This was the true usage of her Noble Phantasm, perhaps an abysmal one compared to the other Heroes with far stronger mysteries at their disposal. Hanzo had already changed her appearance, looking more like a foreign tourist now as they headed to the mom and pop cafe. "Here we are Master. It is quite a simple ability is it not?" --- Yao Ying Xi, Mansion's courtyard. --- "Yes. Though it is much more than that." The flow was predominantly yin, growing stronger as she walked towards her servant. Of course, her servant's entire being was yin, but this one was stronger, as if it was a demon of some sort. Was it that detestable mage? "The sun mirror, while mostly being used to focus sunlight to start kindling, can also function as the moon mirror, whose purpose is to collect dew by moonlight. And the moon mirror can be used as the sun mirror. In essence, they are one, reflecting different sides of a whole." She was silent for a moment as she recognized the figure she was approaching. "What I'm trying to say is, my work relies on the balances and imbalances of the two, and as water, you have the ability to influence them greatly. It will be both a great boon and a curse. Please be mindful of that." "Greetings. Have you business with Saber?" Ying Xi spoke as she neared Farren, her eyes glancing sharply at his Servant.</s>	<\|message\|>La Parca De Mictlan "Hi Master! I am Lancer, not your typical one but my weapon gets the job done~" Wherever the Location is A pillar light bursts forth from the ground. A light just enough to bother her closed eyelids, even if her body and mental strain were killing her. The light was tempting enough for her to take a peek, to open those eyes to see a beautiful young lady in blue appear before her. Raven hair, sapphire accents, a skirt that similarly emulates the petals of a lily growing upside-down. Her soft, peaceful smile kneeling down to meet her Master's visage. It looked innocent. Like someone that doesn't belong in war, someone that needed to be kept behind a wall, far from all the chaos that will ensue, and yet behind her was a long polearm, a curved blade stretching out near the end- a scythe. How peculiar for a Lancer to be summoned wielding one. Although now that she would have seen the gargantuan weapon behind her. The context behind the pretty girl's smile turned into a different kind, that perhaps that smile was perhaps the work of a fanatic, a cultist whose sole purpose is to bring death wherever she will go. The bright blue eyes were hypnotizing for a moment before the look of insanity subtly settling in between the windows of her ethereal soul. "Oh dear, oh dear, my Master is in pain." She answered, her hands gripping her shoulders, shaking them. A frown forming ever so slowly on her face, a look of worry that she manages. "Please wake up, Master. It's such a waste to summon me only for you to sleep! This War has just begun, no? You don't want to miss it right? I don't want to see you in pain." The shaking was fast, intensifying. If she wasn't going to wake up soon, she might take some more drastic measures.</s>
<\|description\|>Simone Ulmer Simone Ulmer --- --- Character Summary Rank: Trooper Aliases: None Age: 19 Birth Place: Neuben Gender: Female Occupation before the war: Farmer --- --- Appearance Height: 5'9" Weight: 130 lbs Build: Thin Eyes: Brown Hair: Brown Tattoos/Scars: Personal Style: Fusses over her uniform, making sure that it looks as good as it can given the circumstances. Usually ornaments her outfits in some small way, be it with a wildflower, a discarded feather, or even a bit of paper folded in a pleasing way. --- --- Psychology Relationship Status: Single Personality: Cheery, but with a snarky streak as long as her arm. Has a flair for the dramatic Habits: Has to make a conscious effort to not be looking around, drum her fingers, or some other similar fidget. Hobbies: Poetry, Reading, Woodcarving Fears: Being Imprisoned, Starvation Likes: Candy, Theater, Birds Dislikes: Cattle (But not beef), snow, chestnuts --- --- Cards On The Table General or Specialty Skills: Experienced forager and scrounger. Skilled at making repairs.Passable in horsemanship and saber fighting but an excellent shot. What Is On Your Person: * Clothing - Issued dragoon uniform , matching saddle and blanket. Also wears chest bindings under her clothing. * Weapons - Dragoons sabre, carbine, and a pistol. * Personal Items - A cigarette case containing a family portrait drawn by her sister and a protective charm from her parents. Her initials have been etched into it, but it is otherwise a plain metal case. Contains no actual smoking material. --- --- History The Reason You Become a Soldier: For the freedom of Rhaetia! And to help protect her family. History: Destitution hung over the Ulmer family like a cloud. Despite her parent's best efforts at farming, injury, blight, and even floods left the Ulmers constantly scrambling to survive. Before she started school, Simone collected watercress on the riverbank with her mother. Her older sister brought her along to help garner sympathy as they panhandled. As girls her age started noticing which boys they liked, she was with her father picking through garbage piles for scrap metal and fuel. During a particularly harsh winter, the family even moved into the barn so the fuel they used to cook could keep the animals warm. The youngest child in the family, Simone grew up used to this life. Hand-me-downs were a fact of life, and even tiny luxuries like sweets were jealously guarded if not immediately consumed. She discovered a smile and some carefully chosen words could often let her stretch out her few coins at the market. She even joined her father and brother when hunting, helping them evade game wardens while they carried their illicit bounty home. Still, she managed to eke out a few moments of pleasure, mainly listening to the old men spin tales at the local tavern, and watching traveling actors on market days. It gave her a pleasant distraction to think back on during the more mind numbing parts of her life, and she managed to memorize some popular plays line by line. Particular favorite plays were that told stories of old Rhaetian heroes, which naturally became more and more common as the rhetoric against the empire grew. It was no surprise when the Declaration of Independence finally reached the Neuben. While her family was usually too busy worrying about their immediate needs to be concerned about larger politics, the flurry of activity surrounding it was a boon. Simone's mother and sister quickly found work making all the gear a soldier needs. The fortune of the family farm had picked up, the weather cooperating and the harvest growing in thick and lush. Their horse had given birth a few years prior, just in time to be trained and sold. However, Simone wanted to fight, to emulate the heroes in the plays she saw so often. With the nearest regiment being formed being the 6th Dragoon, she realized the only way she would be able to join would be to bring her own horse. So, with the blessing of her parents, she took their new horse and rode off towards the muster point, ready to undergo the training to become a dragoon. --- --- Additional Characters Character 1: Trooper Herman Jager, former Neuben constable Character 2: Trooper Edda Klee, classmate and daughter of local smith Character 3: Trooper Dorthy Blum, classmate and neighboring farmer --- --- Extras Character Quote: "Look, we can do this. Just need to work at it." Theme Song: N/A Anything Else:</s> <\|message\|>Frederick Hecht "You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having both at once." * Chapter One - Baptism of Fire</s> <\|message\|>Frederick Hecht Chapter 1 Baptism of Fire --- To say that Frederick felt nervous would have an a colossal understatement. He had been nervous when he proposed to his fiancee, or when he had asked her father for her hand in marriage. He had been nervous the first time he kissed a girl and the first time he had ridden a horse. No, this was not nervousness, this was fear. For three days now the 6th Dragoons had been riding Northeast along the main coach road, all the world drowned out by the noise of thousands of steel shod hooves clattering on the flagstone. They could not see the enemy, nor smell him, but they could hear him. The occasional "boom" of a distant cannon told them all that the war was still on. Rumours circulating throughout the regiment had been confirmed by the Lieutenant that morning, Imperial troops were trying to force the bridge at Darmstadt. The town had a sizeable garrison, a narrow bridge, and steep river banks to protect it. It was no place for cavalry. Instead, in a cloud of dust, a trooper from the 3rd Dragoons had arrived that morning with orders for the 6th to begin riding north. They were ordered to parallel the river, in an effort to find another crossing and perhaps turn the enemy flank, or the very least relieve the pressure on the garrison at Darmstadt. "Sergeant Hecht!" He was startled out of his thought by the crashing bark of Captain Kraus who was cantering along the column toward them. Like the rest of the regiment he already looked woebegone, the green dye having run into his white pants, and the cheap metal helmet showed signs of damage already. "Sir!" Hecht identified himself, raising a hand unnecessarily, almost like a school boy in class when the teacher called his name. He jerked his hand down quickly; the Captain ignored the motion. "Take your Squadron and relieve Sergeant Paulsen, he has C Squadron scouting ahead of this mess." He gestured to the mismatched trail behind them. Mess was being generous, the two infantry regiments that had come with them were more a series of gaggles strung out along the roadway. The only two nine pounder guns that could be spared were being towed even further back by lame looking oxen that out likely not even make good eating. What a way to ride to war. "Yes sir." It was all he could say as he turned his horse off the road and into the rolling green grass that made this particular part of the country an absolute cavalry paradise. In truth he was happy to be here, and even more so now that he was off the road. Yes, he was afraid, but a small part of him could not ignore the grand adventure he was now on. "D Squadron, with me!" The men and women of his small command swung their own mounts off the road and followed him into the long grass. He could hear more than a few sighs of relief. Riding on flagstone tended to jar your back at the best of times. They rode in silence for the next several minutes, two thin lines of horsemen on the massive expanse of green. Other squadrons watched them go with something akin to jealousy. The whole regiment wanted to be riding in search of the enemy but spare mounts were scarce and the Colonel had forbidden any free range riding. There was always some infantryman who would like to fill a saddle, but horses to mount them on were almost as rare as good cannon. It did not take them long to reach the head of the column and Hecht quickly spotted Sergeant Paulsen, a dour looking older man with a head of grey hair, drooping moustache and runny nose. He commanded the current scouts and cast a disgusted eye over the troopers who rode behind Hecht. "How the hell we're expected to win a war with this..." He jutted his chin toward the line of horsemen, Hecht strongly suspected Paulsen meant the female troopers who were quite evidently a woman beneath her helmet. "I will never know." "Well, we can't all be possessed of the wisdom of old age, yet." Hecht retorted, blushing slightly as he heard someone snigger behind him. "You are relieved." He continued before the older Sergeant could reply. Paulsen gave him a glare that could have killed before violently wrenching his horses around so violently that it squealed in pain, shouting at his own squadron to follow him. A few of them offered waves as they rode by, but the majority just looked tired. "Right, up to us then. Welser, Schuster, Ulmer, you're up front. The rest of you fan out on either side of the roadway. Stay within eyesight of each other. We're looking for a ford, which means we need to get to the river. If you run into trouble, don't play hero, get back here and we'll deal with it." There was a smattering of "Yes Sergeant" and the Squadron broke up, riding ahead of the column, hooves now sinking slightly into the fresh earth. This truly was the breadbasket of empire. There was little cover for anyone among the rolling hills, though dead ground was all around. Ahead, Hecht was not quite sure how far, was the river. Here the road would turn North and continue to match the river but at a distance to great to spot any useful ford. They would be forced to leave the roadway. A thick band of trees, now only a dark green smear on the edge of the brighter green hills, marked the river itself. Smoke could be seen some ways further north, likely the sight of a village, and villages sometimes meant river crossings. Hecht checked his sabre to make sure it was loose in the scabbard, tugged out his carbine and ensured it was loaded, and then rode forward along the verge of the roadway. Trooper Sperber, trumpet thumping into his thigh, rode close behind.</s> <\|message\|>Theodor Wolfgang Schuster Teddy thought is was a beautiful day. The sun was up, the air was crisp, and he got to ride with two beautiful girls. Even though he had no courage to tell them so he still felt somehow masculinized in their company, so he sat up straighter in his saddle and puffed his chest up in the hopes it made him look more handsome. Trooper Ulmer, Simone, was to his left, with her neat uniform and straight back riding; and Trooper Welser, Anja, was to his right with her blond hair, blue eyes, and general badassery. They were moving at a hard cantor and so the noise of their horses prevented conversation, but even so Teddy felt like part of a unit with these girls. They were almost friends, or something like friends. They had been riding together for about a month under Sergeant Hecht and seemed to be able to communicate well as long as there were orders to follow. During this last month of training in basic soldiery the group showed real promise as a team, anyone watching could see it was true. However, the Squadron hadn't seen any real action yet, and real violence changes things. For Teddy it was still as if the war was some abstract idea off in the future, but now, as they were riding to engage the enemy, everyone was starting to get nervous. Teddy was well familiar the fact that anxiety did not make for easy friendships. But nonetheless, the day was still beautiful, and Teddy couldn't ask for better company, or a better horse. Sir Briggs might not have been purchased with the best pedigree but the charger had quickly affirmed its quality in terms of speed, strength, and the strange affection he had quickly developed with his young rider. Together they rode towards the smoke billowing off in the distance. The smoke spoke of a village, and a village spoke of a possible river crossing. Finding an easy crossing for their troops would put them in position to flank a large force of Tallion soldiers, and if Teddy could take credit for the find he would. As scouts the other two were allowed to branch off and ride for themselves but Teddy was focused on that village and the hope it presented, even if it meant three or fours hours of hard riding both ways. Two thoughts prioritized themselves: First, would there be a crossing that could support over 1000 troops, horses, and their heavy guns; and Second, do the folks in the village support the Empire or the upstart Rebellion? If anyone from the village reports to the Empire the location of Rhaetian soldiers then any hope of surprise would be lost and the regiment would surely be slaughtered by the larger force, discretion and speed were key. The thought of impending death gave Teddy a painful, cold feeling in his gut. --- Teddy gave some exposition and he is heading to the village. He doesn't know if there is a crossing at the village that'll support the troops and he doesn't know if the villagers support the rebellion or the Empire. I'll post more after you guys.</s>	<\|message\|>Simone Ulmer After days of uneventful riding, Simone was glad for a task to occupy her attention. The excitement of her first deployment was already wearing thin under the constant grind of the march. It was certainly something the great bards of the stage had neglected to include in their performances. Still, the day itself was pleasant enough, and with some distance from the main body of the group the air had cleared of the worst of the dust such a large mass of men stirred up. Quickly patting her breast pocket to check for the umpteenth time she had her cigarette case with her, she rode ahead of the rest of the squadron. With Wesler and Schuseter to her right, she kept her head on a swivel, looking for any sign of a path towards the river or danger. The smoke in the distance seemed like a promising place to find a village with a ford, or at least people to ask where to find one. On the other hand, this was the closest the group had been to Imperial forces, and it was entirely possible the village was already occupied. For all they knew, there were Imperial scouts in the woods near the river watching them. All she could do was keep her eyes open, and hope that any sharpshooters missed, and hope the knot of nerves in her belly didn't develop into anything worse.</s>
<\|description\|>Anja Luise Welser Anja Welser --- --- Character Summary Rank: Trooper Aliases: None Age: Twenty Birth Place: The Hamlet of Vorteham Gender: Female Occupation before the war: Farmhand --- --- Appearance Height: 5' 8" Weight: 152 lb Build: Broad and athletic, given a robust and naturally cultivated musculature due to her upbringing and life thus far. Eyes: Blue Hair: Blonde Tattoos/Scars: No major ones of either, although her hands are slightly calloused yet softer than one may expect, and she has a nice pink scar on her right thigh. Personal Style: As comfortable as possible, and what many would consider 'rustic' and 'rural' when she isn't in uniform. --- --- Psychology Relationship Status: Single Personality: Enduring, generous, honest and humble but also somewhat immature, guarded and not all that accepting of orders/authority in general. Habits: Often speaks somewhat too loudly, can be overly aggressive to others, and attempts to show others – especially those of higher social standing – how 'tough' and 'strong' she is. Hobbies: Wrestling/rough-housing, drinking, honest labour and good conversation, sewing and rudimentary cooking. Fears: Death, injury or harm to her family, becoming aged and weak, and captivity. She also can't swim. Likes: The outdoors/nature, hard work, boys, good food and drink, family and friends. Dislikes: Authority and the upper classes AKA those that look down at her, nosey individuals and gossips, cities and enclosed spaces. --- --- Cards On The Table General or Speciality Skills: Bush craft/outdoorsmanship, pretty good shot if not remarkable, fundamental tracking skills combined with good eyesight, and although not a 'skill' she does possess a level of fitness above and beyond what should plausibly be possessed by a farmgirl. What Is On Your Person: * Clothing - Issued dragoon uniform of green jacket with black facings, black pants with white strip, matching saddle and blanket. * Weapons- Dragoons sabre, carbine, and a pistol. * Personal Items- A small battered portrait of her parents and two sisters, a silver flagon should she ever need one, and a small clay pipe. --- --- History The Reason You Become a Soldier: To serve her burgeoning nation and protect those within it, and to bring some small hint of fame to her family. History: Anja was born the eldest daughter of an immigrant Tallian veteran and his Rhaetian bride, followed not long after by two younger sisters, her father Yeromeyev Yumashevovich swiftly shedding his own name in favour of a more native one and settling on his wife's family name of Welser. Since she was old enough to hold a scythe or a hoe Anja has worked her fathers farmland just outside of Vorteham, a small hamlet with a close-knit community and a place where the taverns are never fully empty, she out of all her siblings taking most after her father in attitude and temperament... if not her fathers love. She grew up more-or-less fearless, enjoying wrestling (among other things) with the local boys, priding herself on her endurance and strength while still taking part in more feminine pursuits with her mother – a woman far wiser and in touch with reality than her father ever has been! When plans for a Republic were announced, and a mad rush for all volunteers sent out across the territory, Anja leapt at the chance, bored of her current state of affairs and keen for adventure; although not a keen rider, and very rural in her style at that, she was capable of riding a horse and saw no reason not to enter the life of a soldier. Her father was very much against it, both due to her gender and out of fear for her life, their parting full of stinging words and bitter goodbyes. Nevertheless she took only what she needed to reach the mustering point, and joined a trail of the hamlets young men as they together rode to war. Oh how she thought she was prepared, her father had told enough stories after all, but how wrong she was. --- --- Additional Characters Character 1: Gerhard Hielscher, local farmhand. Character 2: Padre Yannik Pfaff, the hamlets spiritual leader. Character 3: Old Ruprecht, local drunk and apparent war hero, though this has never been proven.</s> <\|message\|>Theodor Wolfgang Schuster Teddy thought is was a beautiful day. The sun was up, the air was crisp, and he got to ride with two beautiful girls. Even though he had no courage to tell them so he still felt somehow masculinized in their company, so he sat up straighter in his saddle and puffed his chest up in the hopes it made him look more handsome. Trooper Ulmer, Simone, was to his left, with her neat uniform and straight back riding; and Trooper Welser, Anja, was to his right with her blond hair, blue eyes, and general badassery. They were moving at a hard cantor and so the noise of their horses prevented conversation, but even so Teddy felt like part of a unit with these girls. They were almost friends, or something like friends. They had been riding together for about a month under Sergeant Hecht and seemed to be able to communicate well as long as there were orders to follow. During this last month of training in basic soldiery the group showed real promise as a team, anyone watching could see it was true. However, the Squadron hadn't seen any real action yet, and real violence changes things. For Teddy it was still as if the war was some abstract idea off in the future, but now, as they were riding to engage the enemy, everyone was starting to get nervous. Teddy was well familiar the fact that anxiety did not make for easy friendships. But nonetheless, the day was still beautiful, and Teddy couldn't ask for better company, or a better horse. Sir Briggs might not have been purchased with the best pedigree but the charger had quickly affirmed its quality in terms of speed, strength, and the strange affection he had quickly developed with his young rider. Together they rode towards the smoke billowing off in the distance. The smoke spoke of a village, and a village spoke of a possible river crossing. Finding an easy crossing for their troops would put them in position to flank a large force of Tallion soldiers, and if Teddy could take credit for the find he would. As scouts the other two were allowed to branch off and ride for themselves but Teddy was focused on that village and the hope it presented, even if it meant three or fours hours of hard riding both ways. Two thoughts prioritized themselves: First, would there be a crossing that could support over 1000 troops, horses, and their heavy guns; and Second, do the folks in the village support the Empire or the upstart Rebellion? If anyone from the village reports to the Empire the location of Rhaetian soldiers then any hope of surprise would be lost and the regiment would surely be slaughtered by the larger force, discretion and speed were key. The thought of impending death gave Teddy a painful, cold feeling in his gut. --- Teddy gave some exposition and he is heading to the village. He doesn't know if there is a crossing at the village that'll support the troops and he doesn't know if the villagers support the rebellion or the Empire. I'll post more after you guys.</s> <\|message\|>Simone Ulmer After days of uneventful riding, Simone was glad for a task to occupy her attention. The excitement of her first deployment was already wearing thin under the constant grind of the march. It was certainly something the great bards of the stage had neglected to include in their performances. Still, the day itself was pleasant enough, and with some distance from the main body of the group the air had cleared of the worst of the dust such a large mass of men stirred up. Quickly patting her breast pocket to check for the umpteenth time she had her cigarette case with her, she rode ahead of the rest of the squadron. With Wesler and Schuseter to her right, she kept her head on a swivel, looking for any sign of a path towards the river or danger. The smoke in the distance seemed like a promising place to find a village with a ford, or at least people to ask where to find one. On the other hand, this was the closest the group had been to Imperial forces, and it was entirely possible the village was already occupied. For all they knew, there were Imperial scouts in the woods near the river watching them. All she could do was keep her eyes open, and hope that any sharpshooters missed, and hope the knot of nerves in her belly didn't develop into anything worse.</s>	<\|message\|>Anja Luise Welser Truly this day was a glorious one thought Anja to herself - everything from the very scent of the churned up earth around them, to the mingled sounds and noises of straining 'soldiers' and their equipment present on every side of the 6th Dragoons as they rode - the country-raised and lowborn rider even being somewhat able to ignore the ache in her lower back from both the poorly maintained road and her own relaxed posture atop her mount. Deep in conversation with Trooper Yannik, she only started paying proper attention to her surroundings while watching Captain Kraus speak to their own Sergeant Hecht, a handsome man who she was told had been given his rank almost purely by mistake; both he and their Captain were people she personally believed she could rely on, one a former horse trader and the other, more reltably to her own situation, being previously a farmer in his civilian days. Thoughts like this prompted Anja to give a curt excuse of silence to her townsman and glance across the dishevelled ranks to Trooper Ulmer - her uniform as well kept as ever even on campaign it seemed - the slender young lady from Neuben having given her many bouts of laughter during their initial training, although claiming to be as much of the soil as herself there was nevertheless something distinctly patrician about the dark-haired waif of a Rhaetian... The shout of her immediate superior snapped Anja from her reverie, the entirety of D Squadron following him off the road (thank the Lord!) And into terrain much more beneficial to Anja, her mount, and to their role overall. It was unfortunate therefore that they had to come across that old fossil Sergeant Paulsen, her lip peeling back beneath her brass helmet and its bedraggled crest as the two leaders exchanged words, but quickly relaxing again as Hecht made his verbal retort. This prompted a somewhat louder-than-helpful snigger and snort of air from Anja, the farmers daughter unable to hold it in, a smirk replacing her grimace as C Squadron rode past and disappeared back toward the main body. Moments later and the order was given, the order that Anja in particular had been waiting for, an order that allowed somewhat of a degree of freedom to each Dragoon. Some feeling tried to make itself known in the pit of her stomach, it could have been fear, excitement, or something else, in any case she quickly squashed it into being as small as possible while concentrating on her orders. A swift check of equipment, just as they had been shown not so long ago, made Anja feel a little better - her sabre was loose but no too loose, her helmet was secure on her head, and her carbine was within easy reach - the only thing that bothered her beside the entire situation of this war was that her jacket still fit quite snug aboyt her frame; it had obviously been made for a man, a young one, but not for a woman of her stature and she hated it. In a rather odd turn of her mind she looked to Trooper Schuster, or 'Teddy' as he was affectionately known, and caught his eye before giving the shortest of their scouting party a full-toothed smile, her feelings for him and his general uneasy state a fraction motherly - though she would never admit to this - and a portion more... not so. Something about the way he acted around the female soldiers, the easy jibes and teasing that could be performed in such situations, never failing to make Anja smile. "Good hunting," she said to her fellow scouts, perhaps a little more loudly than was prudent, digging her heels in and giving a click of her tongue to the dappled grey mare between her thighs, pulling on the reins strongly enough to direct the stubborn lass toward the thick band of trees marking the rivers course. Halfway toward the trees and she paused, still as still could be, finally turning about in her saddle and looking back toward the others. "I plan to follow this until we reach the village, into the woods and off we go," once more she was probably a lot louder than was safe, but she wasn't dead yet and that gave her a burst of possibly misplaced bravado, "I would feel much safer with a strong young man by my side.... and Simone can come too, if she wishes." The last comment was clearly an afterthought, but it did not do to upset others too much.</s>
<\|description\|>Elise Hydaelyn \|\| ♀ \|\| 25 \|\| Princess of Eorzia \|\| _________________________________________________________________________________</s> <\|message\|>Elise Hydaelyn Elise Hydaelyn, the princess of Eorzia and youngest daughter to King Regis was about to take on a new adventure and head into unknown land. One thing she kept telling herself was that this was all for peace and that it did not matter what happened to her. It was to stop a war that had been raging for quite the century. It had been agreed that to broker a peace a union would happen, a marriage between to Kingdoms that had been at war for as long as people could remember. Eorzia was sustaining itself, just. They had vast amounts of land and plenty of crops enough to feed their Kingdom for a few years. Soldiers and magic, however, weren't as easy to come by. Sure, the Kingdom had enough men to protect its defences, but to keep a war going they needed fresh new soldiers who could wield magic which had become all the more difficult with their missing artifact, stolen at some point during the many years of war. It was becoming much harder to keep the magic alive throughout their lands and it was beginning to show. A plan had been made, the King had hoped it would call the other Kingdoms bluff at first, create a break in the defence for him to get the upper hand but it had done the opposite and now was offering his daughter to them in a marriage pact. The King hoped that offering a peace treaty through marriage meant they would decline, him declining could have meant people potentially rebelling over this Kingdom not accepting a peaceful way to resolve this. It was meant to be quite the bold move on his part and work, but that had not been the case, there was no decline, in fact there was a counteroffer and King Regis was left with no choice but to accept as he didn't want to be the one declining peace and showing weakness. There was also the plus side of ending this long-drawn-out war that had to have taken its toll on both the Kingdoms. As word spread about the peace between Kingdoms it was hard to back down, Regis had arranged for his daughter through many ambassadors to visit the other Kingdom ahead of any preparations so they could meet one another before they would sign the treaty at the wedding. It felt right that to him that they got to know each other before any sort of union. "Stupid father, what an absolute idiot. How could he do this to me?" Grumbling to herself quietly as she looked out the window of her carriage, she had been sent with an escort into what was once enemy territory to have her first meeting with him. Her father would join a day later for two reasons, one in case it was a trap and two he still had a few loose ends to tie up as a country didn't run itself. Thinking back to when she was told she had remembered her anger about the idea of the marriage, the fury and then tears. Her hand curled into a fist as she remembered that day. __ "My dearest daughter Elise." A gruff voice come from the doorway of her room, smiling up at her father she gestured him inside as she turned from the seat at her table wondering what had brought him here. "Father, to what do I owe this visit?" "I have managed to find a way of peace which would be beneficial to both Kingdoms. A way to stop this long-drawn-out war." Hesitating with his words as he stepped further inside the room pacing towards the window, he glanced at his daughter wondering how to approach the subject. "I have arranged something, to keep the peace I have… promised your hand to them." Snapping her head around to her father, the King, she frowned anger rising. "You did what!? Why couldn't you marry of my brother? Surely the heir to the throne is far more important than me!" Slamming her book down against the table she was outraged, arranged marriages were common but it didn't mean she had to like it. The idea of it was just not something that sat right with her and she had kind of hoped that she did not have to go through with something like that. Of course, she was wrong, but she had been working on putting the idea into their heads in hopes it meant she could avoid such a fate. "It's the only way. You will be leaving in a couple of days to go meet with him. There is no fighting against this." "YOU COWARD! NO WONDER YOU COULDN'T WIN THE WAR!" Shouting her outrage as her father left quite quickly after breaking the news, she had thrown the book just as the door had shut behind him, narrowly missing him in the process. Clearly he had not wanted to stay much longer knowing it would only cause a fight. __ Sighing to herself as she shook her head from the memory, she did not want to think on it anymore as she felt the carriage come to a stop, glancing back out the window the scenery was vastly different to Eorzia and she felt a pang of guilt for not saying goodbye to her father before she travelled, but she pushed it aside quickly reminding herself this was his fault. Looking at the carriage door as it opened, she was helped out of the carriage by a few soldiers that had accompanied her on the long ride. It had taken a couple of days to get here but the journey had been quite smooth, there had been no attacks throughout the whole journey which she found quite surprising and a little disheartening that she'd have to go through with this. As she stretched her legs, it felt good to be out of the carriage, but the pit in her stomach began to rise as she realised who she was about to meet. Though she knew she had to stay strong and not show weakness. Brushing out the creases of her dress she knew that there was no escaping this, she was about to meet her soon to be husband. Not liking that phrase at all. Maybe if I just run? Go into hiding? Perhaps under the cover of darkness. Getting lost in her thoughts as she approached her impending doom the Princess began to think on ways she could potentially escape this fate her father had sealed for her.</s> <\|message\|>Liam Snyder At first glance one wouldn't be able to tell that the kingdom of Helilin had been in the middle of a war for years. It clearly was on the winning side of the conflict. The buildings, though having been destroyed time and time again showed no signs of damage. The fields thriving as were the magics that kept the kingdom well defended and gave their soldiers their strength. Of course it did help that not only did King Sebastian have his own magical artifact, but the artifact of Eorzia kept tightly under lock and key as well. However, as they say, first glances are often the most deceiving. The king was considered more of a tyrant, often running his kingdom and family as if it was losing the war they were clearly winning. His citizens were already beginning to rebel before the enemy kingdom sent the offer of marriage for peace, to refuse the offer would be a death sentence. Though perhaps the death sentence of his father would be better than unknowing being thrown into a possible marriage agreement with the enemy. Perhaps it was wrong for Liam to think such things, maybe even more wrong for him to say such things to his father's face. He was sporting a rather nice size gash under his eye for it. Though finding out that his new wife was coming to meet him only a day before her arrival was very frustrating. His mind went back to the night before as his light blue eyes watched the carriage as it entered the city gates from the small balcony off his room. --- Liam had been in the courtyard most of the day, he often sent his days here. If not in training then simply to be outside.Though at the moment he was in combat training. Though Liam was gifted with magic, he insisted on knowing his way around a sword. There was never telling when an attack was going to come. His father thought it was useless and never joined him, yet another plus. So it was a surprise when his father interrupted the training, taking up a sword and shooing the trainer. "This is a surprise." Liam said, smiling a touch as he raised his sword and got into his stance. "I don't find many opportunities to speak with you without your mother stepping in." His father answered. Liam raised a brow at this, but soon they were fencing. He would be lying if he were to say that even now he was having trouble keeping up with his father. "What is so important for her to not be here?" "I found a way to stop the rebellion and the wars." He let Liam get a hit on him and they stopped for a moment before getting back into stance. "You're going to marry the princess of Eorzia." Liam dropped stance immediately. "I'm WHAT?! I am not marrying some weak little princess for your idea of peace and attempt to save yourself, you coward!" He yelled at his father. It was outrageous. Before he even had a choice to realize it, his father swiped the sword cutting under Liam's eye with the hilt of the sword. Though it wouldn't leave a scar it hurt like hell and left a nice little gash. "I am no coward, and you will take no such tone with me. You'll understand when you are older. She will be here tomorrow and you will be there." With that, he left Liam. --- The sound of the carriage coming to a stop drew his attention back to the present, his eyes narrowing slightly as he watched the guards that were with her carriage open the door. The blonde princess stepped out and smoothed her dress. He hated to admit that she looked quite beautiful from where he was standing. Watching her for a moment as she seemed to be debating on running or not. Part of him hoped that she would, sure she would probably be brought back before she got far, but there was still some hope. As she started towards the doors he sighed making his way down to the entry. His room wasn't very far and by the time he had got there she had only been there for a few moments. He could tell from the fact his mother was still in her curtsy. His mother no doubt was the light in their castle. Liam couldn't help but look his new wife over as his mother prattled on with a mixture of disinterest and curiosity. "My aren't you just a beauty. I had heard rumors that Regis had a pretty daughter. It must have been such a long journey. After we are all done, I'll have Liam show you where you can rest for a while dear." "You're late." His father said annoyingly as Liam came to stand beside him. Liam frowned a little and mumbled that it was only for a moment. Which got him an angrier look before Sebastian looked back at the princess. "Arabell, Arabell!" The queen frowned and stopped talking looking at him. "I have things to do princess, so you will excuse me. Welcome to our home." He said matter factly before pushing Liam forward a bit and leaving the three of them. Liam's mother grabbed his arm pulling him forward more happily to the princess. "Of course, Liam is very happy to meet you my dear. Isn't that right? If you'll excuse me though, I simply must talk to my husband." The queen said before leaving the two of them alone and angrily going after her husband. Liam frowned slightly for a moment before giving a small bow to her. "Welcome princess. I'm afraid I didn't catch your name when I found out about this yesterday."</s>	<\|message\|>Elise Hydaelyn This is where I will die, I can feel it. I sense it. Elise couldn't help but think that with each step she took approaching the castle that housed the other royals they had been at war with for quite some time. Arthur her elder brother had expressed his opinions on this matter of marriage, but her father hadn't listened to him and thus her fate had been sealed by coming here. In all honesty she was certain her brother didn't really fight hard for it, the marriage would mean he wouldn't have to deal with any sort of war whilst running the Kingdom he was due to inherit from father and they all knew it was an easy way out just at her expense. Though there wasn't much she could do about it now, not until at least nightfall where she could consider hatching a plan of escape though she would have to be very careful about it and not give them any indication that she was looking to do as such. Knowing that she would have to play it smart, take in her surroundings and start to understand the layout she bowed her head politely with a bright smile upon her face as she met with the King and Queen. Inside she was scared, feeling worried for the fact she didn't know anything about these people and what they could do to her but so far it didn't appear like any sort of trap though she wouldn't let her guard down. "Oh my, thank you for such a compliment. Though you should see my elder sister Madeline, she turns quite a few heads herself." It was true, her elder sister was stunning, but already married. Another alliance her father had set up in hopes to bring more soldiers to their side of the war and though it brought them soldiers and some more income it just wasn't enough to gain the upper hand. "That would be nice, it was quite the journey to get here though we didn't encounter any issues on the ride, but I thank you for welcoming me into your home." Elise stated politely keeping the smile on her face as if she was happy with this deal, glancing over to Liam who had just arrived slipping in behind his father. Though before she could make any sort of opinion the King spoke once more excusing himself as he had things to do and it was then she started to feel just a little bit more awkward which was something she had been trying to avoid. "Oh, right of course." Elise watched as the Queen began to leave after her husband and she couldn't help but hold her tongue at that comment Liam was very happy to meet her. For some reason she didn't quite think that was the entire truth, personally she wasn't all too happy at meeting him but then who knew? Maybe he was thrilled to end the war, marry some foreigner Princess and just go about life. The problem was that she didn't know how he felt on the matter, only how she did, and it was quite negative to the whole idea. Holding back a sigh she looked back at Liam catching the frown before the bow and she followed suit bowing in return her smile faltering ever so slightly. It's going to be tiresome keeping up an act isn't it. Or maybe that's the long journey talking. Thinking bitterly to herself as she found her fingers fiddling with the hem of her sleeve trying to give herself something to focus and not make a fool of herself in front of him. "Ah, thank you. It's a pleasure to finally meet you." Lies, absolute lies that left her mouth so smoothly, but then she was certain that anyone would feel like this in the same situation. "Oh, It's Elise. Elise Hydaelyn. It was Liam, right? I think that was what your mother said before leaving after the King." Glancing back at the carriage she had arrived in she could see the few soldiers and men that had escorted her were packing it away, leading it to where she could only assume they kept the horses and carriages and such. Taking in a quick look at the grounds she found herself thinking on ways she could sneak out under nightfall, but quickly stopped herself to not make it so obvious. "Sorry, it's quite different your home compared to mine. It's interesting to see. I have never ventured out of my own kingdom before so to come quite this far is new to me." Using that as an excuse to cover up any hint of her looking for ways to escape. "I don't suppose you would show me around sometime?" Who better than him to show her around, he would know where everything was and she could try to remember it for later on when she would risk it all in hopes to make an escape.</s>
<\|description\|>Elise Hydaelyn \|\| ♀ \|\| 25 \|\| Princess of Eorzia \|\| _________________________________________________________________________________</s> <\|message\|>Elise Hydaelyn This is where I will die, I can feel it. I sense it. Elise couldn't help but think that with each step she took approaching the castle that housed the other royals they had been at war with for quite some time. Arthur her elder brother had expressed his opinions on this matter of marriage, but her father hadn't listened to him and thus her fate had been sealed by coming here. In all honesty she was certain her brother didn't really fight hard for it, the marriage would mean he wouldn't have to deal with any sort of war whilst running the Kingdom he was due to inherit from father and they all knew it was an easy way out just at her expense. Though there wasn't much she could do about it now, not until at least nightfall where she could consider hatching a plan of escape though she would have to be very careful about it and not give them any indication that she was looking to do as such. Knowing that she would have to play it smart, take in her surroundings and start to understand the layout she bowed her head politely with a bright smile upon her face as she met with the King and Queen. Inside she was scared, feeling worried for the fact she didn't know anything about these people and what they could do to her but so far it didn't appear like any sort of trap though she wouldn't let her guard down. "Oh my, thank you for such a compliment. Though you should see my elder sister Madeline, she turns quite a few heads herself." It was true, her elder sister was stunning, but already married. Another alliance her father had set up in hopes to bring more soldiers to their side of the war and though it brought them soldiers and some more income it just wasn't enough to gain the upper hand. "That would be nice, it was quite the journey to get here though we didn't encounter any issues on the ride, but I thank you for welcoming me into your home." Elise stated politely keeping the smile on her face as if she was happy with this deal, glancing over to Liam who had just arrived slipping in behind his father. Though before she could make any sort of opinion the King spoke once more excusing himself as he had things to do and it was then she started to feel just a little bit more awkward which was something she had been trying to avoid. "Oh, right of course." Elise watched as the Queen began to leave after her husband and she couldn't help but hold her tongue at that comment Liam was very happy to meet her. For some reason she didn't quite think that was the entire truth, personally she wasn't all too happy at meeting him but then who knew? Maybe he was thrilled to end the war, marry some foreigner Princess and just go about life. The problem was that she didn't know how he felt on the matter, only how she did, and it was quite negative to the whole idea. Holding back a sigh she looked back at Liam catching the frown before the bow and she followed suit bowing in return her smile faltering ever so slightly. It's going to be tiresome keeping up an act isn't it. Or maybe that's the long journey talking. Thinking bitterly to herself as she found her fingers fiddling with the hem of her sleeve trying to give herself something to focus and not make a fool of herself in front of him. "Ah, thank you. It's a pleasure to finally meet you." Lies, absolute lies that left her mouth so smoothly, but then she was certain that anyone would feel like this in the same situation. "Oh, It's Elise. Elise Hydaelyn. It was Liam, right? I think that was what your mother said before leaving after the King." Glancing back at the carriage she had arrived in she could see the few soldiers and men that had escorted her were packing it away, leading it to where she could only assume they kept the horses and carriages and such. Taking in a quick look at the grounds she found herself thinking on ways she could sneak out under nightfall, but quickly stopped herself to not make it so obvious. "Sorry, it's quite different your home compared to mine. It's interesting to see. I have never ventured out of my own kingdom before so to come quite this far is new to me." Using that as an excuse to cover up any hint of her looking for ways to escape. "I don't suppose you would show me around sometime?" Who better than him to show her around, he would know where everything was and she could try to remember it for later on when she would risk it all in hopes to make an escape.</s> <\|message\|>Liam Snyder Liam couldn't help but raise his brow when she said it was nice to finally meet him. Was it? He had been foolishly under the impression that she was under the same circumstances as he was. That this was a deal struck against both of their wills. Perhaps he was wrong though. Perhaps she had wanted to actually meet him, he wouldn't be lying if he said the thought of meeting his enemies hadn't crossed his mind. Though it wasn't, quite in this way. Then again maybe this was a power grab for her too. She wasn't going to get her own kingdom after all. "Is it?" He asked, the question had a slight playfully cocky undertone. It was quickly gone though. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you as well." "Yes, Liam Snyder." It was nice to finally get a name behind the face. Smiling slightly he nodded. "My father isn't much of a talkative person, I'm sure he is getting an earful." When he looked back at her, she was looking towards the horses and carriage that was being put away. He used the sober moment of quiet to take her in without his fathers angry grumbles in his ear. She definitely was pretty, though perhaps a bit timid. He wasn't sure how long she would survive in this family this way. Hopefully she had some back bone hidden in that pretty dress somewhere. His eyes moved towards where she was still staring as she looked back at him and spoke. For a moment he thought maybe she was worried about whatever belongings she had brought with her. Though it seemed it was more the fact that their kingdoms were so different. Liam had never actually been in her kingdom before, the few battles he had been in were the attacks on his own. It wasn't something he had thought about much until now. "I'm sure that I can find some time later if you wish. Just the castle grounds though. The city is a whole headache you wouldn't want so soon." He said, tone slightly softer than it had been. The city had been fairly calm as she came in, it was a mixture of the news of a peace marriage and force. Liam offered Elise his arm. "Come Elise, I'll show you where you'll be staying. I'm sure the servants have your belongings there already." Once she took his arm, he led the way that he had come and up the long stairway until stopping at the first door of a short hallway. "If you for some reason need me, I'm at the last door to the left. Mother insisted on us staying close." He said, with a soft huff as he opened the door for her. The room itself was almost a complete contrast of the castle itself. The walls were a soft orange cream color, the only thing which matched the castle were the dark brown wooden floors that ran through the rest of the castle. A small step down at the door made it possible for the ceiling to be just a touch higher than the hallways. Against the middle of the wall sat a large red canopy bed, though even with its size, it did not even take up half of the large room. A small red matching couch across from the bed with a small bookcase next to it. There were two doors, one at either end of the room. One led to a small washroom of her own. The second, which stood open at the moment, with one of the two servant girls hanging up Elise's dresses. Was a large closet. The two girls stopped what they were doing as she entered the room, faces eager and nosey to see the soon to be queen. Though their smiles flattered slightly as Liam cleared his throat. "Privacy." Both girls bowed to Elise before heading out of the room.</s>	<\|message\|>Elise Hydaelyn The cocky undertone didn't go unnoticed and she wondered if he had meant to voice that out loud, questioning her on if it was an actual pleasure to meet him. It had soon been followed with the standard response on how he was pleased to finally meet her, "Well I was just being polite if you want honesty." Stating simple as she shrugged it off to her just being polite and well mannered, without her father here there was no one to reprimand her but she knew she still had to act the part after all as word would spread if she was not acting as a lady should. Listening as he spoke about his father not being talkative and how he would show her around the castle it all seemed pretty mundane talk, but what else could she really talk about when she didn't know him. The only saving grace she had was the fact she had not mentioned the weather. It was interesting to hear about the city being a headache, she could only assume there was some sort of unrest and she wasn't surprised. It had been the same back home; a lot of people were against the arranged marriage whereas some wanted the peace. You couldn't make everyone happy no matter what route was taken when it came to the war. "Thank you." Hesitating for a moment before she took his arm, at least he was being polite in return, so she had hope he wasn't going to be some horrid person. It was common when it came to arranged marriages in her own country, men look at woman like property not that she would let herself be looked at in any such a way, but it would be interesting to find out what kind of person she was going to marry. "That's… considerate of your mother, but I am sure I will not need to impose on you." Trying not to sound displease in any sort of way, but knowing he was close didn't make her feel comfortable. Not when she had plans on conveniently disappearing as it would be hard enough with the guards around, let alone him as well. Moving inside the room she could see it was beautiful, it was clear it was kitted out with the best and even though the colours might not have been something she personally would have chosen it still looked lovely. It was quite the contrast to her own room back home, though she was certain she could call it her room anymore as this was going to be her home forever more. The colours however had been deep greens with silver embellishments something she quite enjoyed. The red would take some getting used too, but she knew she would. Glancing towards the two doors she could see one of them was her wardrobe for all her dresses so it meant the other had to be a washroom, she doubted they would give her a room without one. Letting go of Liam she folded her arms over her chest as she moved into the centre of it just taking it all in before she finally turned to face him eyes narrowed slightly as he called for privacy. "What is it you wish to say to me that you don't want overheard?" Elise didn't beat around the bush if his own home was anything like hers then it only meant that people were likely to talk. Gossip was a big thing in court, and she knew from personal experience how quickly words could get misinterpreted and how quickly they could spread. At times it was often quicker than a wildfire.</s>
<\|description\|>Liam Snyder \|\| 24 \|\| Prince of Helilin \|\| _________________________________________________________________________________</s> <\|message\|>Liam Snyder At first glance one wouldn't be able to tell that the kingdom of Helilin had been in the middle of a war for years. It clearly was on the winning side of the conflict. The buildings, though having been destroyed time and time again showed no signs of damage. The fields thriving as were the magics that kept the kingdom well defended and gave their soldiers their strength. Of course it did help that not only did King Sebastian have his own magical artifact, but the artifact of Eorzia kept tightly under lock and key as well. However, as they say, first glances are often the most deceiving. The king was considered more of a tyrant, often running his kingdom and family as if it was losing the war they were clearly winning. His citizens were already beginning to rebel before the enemy kingdom sent the offer of marriage for peace, to refuse the offer would be a death sentence. Though perhaps the death sentence of his father would be better than unknowing being thrown into a possible marriage agreement with the enemy. Perhaps it was wrong for Liam to think such things, maybe even more wrong for him to say such things to his father's face. He was sporting a rather nice size gash under his eye for it. Though finding out that his new wife was coming to meet him only a day before her arrival was very frustrating. His mind went back to the night before as his light blue eyes watched the carriage as it entered the city gates from the small balcony off his room. --- Liam had been in the courtyard most of the day, he often sent his days here. If not in training then simply to be outside.Though at the moment he was in combat training. Though Liam was gifted with magic, he insisted on knowing his way around a sword. There was never telling when an attack was going to come. His father thought it was useless and never joined him, yet another plus. So it was a surprise when his father interrupted the training, taking up a sword and shooing the trainer. "This is a surprise." Liam said, smiling a touch as he raised his sword and got into his stance. "I don't find many opportunities to speak with you without your mother stepping in." His father answered. Liam raised a brow at this, but soon they were fencing. He would be lying if he were to say that even now he was having trouble keeping up with his father. "What is so important for her to not be here?" "I found a way to stop the rebellion and the wars." He let Liam get a hit on him and they stopped for a moment before getting back into stance. "You're going to marry the princess of Eorzia." Liam dropped stance immediately. "I'm WHAT?! I am not marrying some weak little princess for your idea of peace and attempt to save yourself, you coward!" He yelled at his father. It was outrageous. Before he even had a choice to realize it, his father swiped the sword cutting under Liam's eye with the hilt of the sword. Though it wouldn't leave a scar it hurt like hell and left a nice little gash. "I am no coward, and you will take no such tone with me. You'll understand when you are older. She will be here tomorrow and you will be there." With that, he left Liam. --- The sound of the carriage coming to a stop drew his attention back to the present, his eyes narrowing slightly as he watched the guards that were with her carriage open the door. The blonde princess stepped out and smoothed her dress. He hated to admit that she looked quite beautiful from where he was standing. Watching her for a moment as she seemed to be debating on running or not. Part of him hoped that she would, sure she would probably be brought back before she got far, but there was still some hope. As she started towards the doors he sighed making his way down to the entry. His room wasn't very far and by the time he had got there she had only been there for a few moments. He could tell from the fact his mother was still in her curtsy. His mother no doubt was the light in their castle. Liam couldn't help but look his new wife over as his mother prattled on with a mixture of disinterest and curiosity. "My aren't you just a beauty. I had heard rumors that Regis had a pretty daughter. It must have been such a long journey. After we are all done, I'll have Liam show you where you can rest for a while dear." "You're late." His father said annoyingly as Liam came to stand beside him. Liam frowned a little and mumbled that it was only for a moment. Which got him an angrier look before Sebastian looked back at the princess. "Arabell, Arabell!" The queen frowned and stopped talking looking at him. "I have things to do princess, so you will excuse me. Welcome to our home." He said matter factly before pushing Liam forward a bit and leaving the three of them. Liam's mother grabbed his arm pulling him forward more happily to the princess. "Of course, Liam is very happy to meet you my dear. Isn't that right? If you'll excuse me though, I simply must talk to my husband." The queen said before leaving the two of them alone and angrily going after her husband. Liam frowned slightly for a moment before giving a small bow to her. "Welcome princess. I'm afraid I didn't catch your name when I found out about this yesterday."</s> <\|message\|>Elise Hydaelyn This is where I will die, I can feel it. I sense it. Elise couldn't help but think that with each step she took approaching the castle that housed the other royals they had been at war with for quite some time. Arthur her elder brother had expressed his opinions on this matter of marriage, but her father hadn't listened to him and thus her fate had been sealed by coming here. In all honesty she was certain her brother didn't really fight hard for it, the marriage would mean he wouldn't have to deal with any sort of war whilst running the Kingdom he was due to inherit from father and they all knew it was an easy way out just at her expense. Though there wasn't much she could do about it now, not until at least nightfall where she could consider hatching a plan of escape though she would have to be very careful about it and not give them any indication that she was looking to do as such. Knowing that she would have to play it smart, take in her surroundings and start to understand the layout she bowed her head politely with a bright smile upon her face as she met with the King and Queen. Inside she was scared, feeling worried for the fact she didn't know anything about these people and what they could do to her but so far it didn't appear like any sort of trap though she wouldn't let her guard down. "Oh my, thank you for such a compliment. Though you should see my elder sister Madeline, she turns quite a few heads herself." It was true, her elder sister was stunning, but already married. Another alliance her father had set up in hopes to bring more soldiers to their side of the war and though it brought them soldiers and some more income it just wasn't enough to gain the upper hand. "That would be nice, it was quite the journey to get here though we didn't encounter any issues on the ride, but I thank you for welcoming me into your home." Elise stated politely keeping the smile on her face as if she was happy with this deal, glancing over to Liam who had just arrived slipping in behind his father. Though before she could make any sort of opinion the King spoke once more excusing himself as he had things to do and it was then she started to feel just a little bit more awkward which was something she had been trying to avoid. "Oh, right of course." Elise watched as the Queen began to leave after her husband and she couldn't help but hold her tongue at that comment Liam was very happy to meet her. For some reason she didn't quite think that was the entire truth, personally she wasn't all too happy at meeting him but then who knew? Maybe he was thrilled to end the war, marry some foreigner Princess and just go about life. The problem was that she didn't know how he felt on the matter, only how she did, and it was quite negative to the whole idea. Holding back a sigh she looked back at Liam catching the frown before the bow and she followed suit bowing in return her smile faltering ever so slightly. It's going to be tiresome keeping up an act isn't it. Or maybe that's the long journey talking. Thinking bitterly to herself as she found her fingers fiddling with the hem of her sleeve trying to give herself something to focus and not make a fool of herself in front of him. "Ah, thank you. It's a pleasure to finally meet you." Lies, absolute lies that left her mouth so smoothly, but then she was certain that anyone would feel like this in the same situation. "Oh, It's Elise. Elise Hydaelyn. It was Liam, right? I think that was what your mother said before leaving after the King." Glancing back at the carriage she had arrived in she could see the few soldiers and men that had escorted her were packing it away, leading it to where she could only assume they kept the horses and carriages and such. Taking in a quick look at the grounds she found herself thinking on ways she could sneak out under nightfall, but quickly stopped herself to not make it so obvious. "Sorry, it's quite different your home compared to mine. It's interesting to see. I have never ventured out of my own kingdom before so to come quite this far is new to me." Using that as an excuse to cover up any hint of her looking for ways to escape. "I don't suppose you would show me around sometime?" Who better than him to show her around, he would know where everything was and she could try to remember it for later on when she would risk it all in hopes to make an escape.</s>	<\|message\|>Liam Snyder Liam couldn't help but raise his brow when she said it was nice to finally meet him. Was it? He had been foolishly under the impression that she was under the same circumstances as he was. That this was a deal struck against both of their wills. Perhaps he was wrong though. Perhaps she had wanted to actually meet him, he wouldn't be lying if he said the thought of meeting his enemies hadn't crossed his mind. Though it wasn't, quite in this way. Then again maybe this was a power grab for her too. She wasn't going to get her own kingdom after all. "Is it?" He asked, the question had a slight playfully cocky undertone. It was quickly gone though. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you as well." "Yes, Liam Snyder." It was nice to finally get a name behind the face. Smiling slightly he nodded. "My father isn't much of a talkative person, I'm sure he is getting an earful." When he looked back at her, she was looking towards the horses and carriage that was being put away. He used the sober moment of quiet to take her in without his fathers angry grumbles in his ear. She definitely was pretty, though perhaps a bit timid. He wasn't sure how long she would survive in this family this way. Hopefully she had some back bone hidden in that pretty dress somewhere. His eyes moved towards where she was still staring as she looked back at him and spoke. For a moment he thought maybe she was worried about whatever belongings she had brought with her. Though it seemed it was more the fact that their kingdoms were so different. Liam had never actually been in her kingdom before, the few battles he had been in were the attacks on his own. It wasn't something he had thought about much until now. "I'm sure that I can find some time later if you wish. Just the castle grounds though. The city is a whole headache you wouldn't want so soon." He said, tone slightly softer than it had been. The city had been fairly calm as she came in, it was a mixture of the news of a peace marriage and force. Liam offered Elise his arm. "Come Elise, I'll show you where you'll be staying. I'm sure the servants have your belongings there already." Once she took his arm, he led the way that he had come and up the long stairway until stopping at the first door of a short hallway. "If you for some reason need me, I'm at the last door to the left. Mother insisted on us staying close." He said, with a soft huff as he opened the door for her. The room itself was almost a complete contrast of the castle itself. The walls were a soft orange cream color, the only thing which matched the castle were the dark brown wooden floors that ran through the rest of the castle. A small step down at the door made it possible for the ceiling to be just a touch higher than the hallways. Against the middle of the wall sat a large red canopy bed, though even with its size, it did not even take up half of the large room. A small red matching couch across from the bed with a small bookcase next to it. There were two doors, one at either end of the room. One led to a small washroom of her own. The second, which stood open at the moment, with one of the two servant girls hanging up Elise's dresses. Was a large closet. The two girls stopped what they were doing as she entered the room, faces eager and nosey to see the soon to be queen. Though their smiles flattered slightly as Liam cleared his throat. "Privacy." Both girls bowed to Elise before heading out of the room.</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang They both got comfortable in their respective seats. Freyr laid her head back against the top of the sofa and stared at the ceiling. Closing her eyes, she activated her quick access module. "Taking us in." She heard Karos calling in the distance. Pins and needles spread through her arms and legs. Freyr involuntarily arched her back and gasped out loud, unused to the procedure after so long away. After a few moments, all physical signals faded away. When she finally opened her eyes she was inside the Cradle. They stood in a transit station Freyr didn't recognise - it must have been built recently for this new development. It appeared as a spacious, square, high ceilinged lobby with a large metal receptionist's desk and some comfy seats for furniture. Two walls featured works of art, the other two sides were composed entirely of windows and doors to the outside. She heard the doors behind her swoosh open and sharp footsteps approaching. She turned to find a young CraSec officer in full battle dress, save the helmet, striding toward them. He cradled an assault rifle in his arms. "Doctors Childermass and Lang? I'm Lieutenant Rowe. Come with me please." They followed him out of the see-through sliding doors he'd just emerged from, out into the open. As was always the case with the Cradle, it was dark outside. The only natural light came from the faintly glowing network of purple arteries embedded in the sky above and the Border off to their right, which Freyr noted was worryingly close by. She'd spent many hours staring at those arteries, looking for clues as to their purpose. The land (as far as it could be called that) immediately surrounding the transit station was so far untouched, leaving an ocean of blackness between them and a glittering oasis of light some way off in the distance. That, Freyr assumed, was the new corporate development Karos had been talking about. Just outside the exit, three more CraSec soldiers waited by an enclosed buggy. They snapped smartly to attention as they approached. "Four guards? Is this strictly necessary?" Freyr asked. "It's for own your protection, Doctor." Rowe replied, motioning for her and Karos to get into the backseats before he and his second hopped in the front. The two other grunts hitched onto the outside of the buggy on either side of Freyr and Karos using the running boards. As soon as the buggy purred into life, bright floodlights blinked on all around the transit station. Rows of similar buggies sat together nearby, along with numerous crates and terraforming equipment. The whole place seemed deserted apart from them. Freyr could see the station was in fact situated on a roundabout, with one wide metal road stretching out directly in front of them. It wound through the undulating landscape, all the way to the corporate development a few miles away. They set off down that road at high speed, before they'd even had a chance to fasten their seatbelts. "As I mentioned, Freyr, conditions have changed substantially inside the Cradle since you've been gone." Karos began once they were strapped in. "Our department's budget has been expanded, as has that of our friends at CraSec here." "Our ranks have doubled in the last three months." Rowe offered helpfully, his head constantly swiveling to watch the darkness either side of the road. Karos nodded. "So have our objectives. The emphasis has changed from reverse engineering Cradle tech to strengthening our terraforming infrastructure and developing systems to combat any further...threat...from beyond the Border. A lot of the team are finding it a tough transition, which is why I desperately need your experienced hand on this." Freyr stared at him. "It sounds like we're preparing for war Karos. A war we can't possibly win." Karos looked grave. "Perhaps you're right." He looked away, across the darkness toward the Border. "I'm hoping it'll make sense once you see the video."</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Fortunately for Vreta, his entry location was not currently occupied. He was prepared to try and lie his way through any encounter if needed, but until he knew what precisely was going on in this place, he would prefer to remain hidden. He cracked open the door and peered out into the hall, cautiously. A few sniffs of the air and he caught a scent: a Human. His olfactory implants might not have been functional, but the natural sense of smell for a Rothian was still sharp. The scent was coming from the right, so Vreta moved left down the hall until he could find a door to slip outside. Vreta had not been to this particular district before, but at least on first impressions, there was nothing remarkably different from any other section of the Cradle. Though, Vreta did admit to finding the Cradle, as a whole, to be an unsettling place. The violet lights in the otherwise dark skies bore little resemblance to any natural environment, and the complete blackness beyond any of the creations of the Humans was even more alien. It was an "unnatural" place by any definition. Although, it was not the idea of a virtual environment itself that unsettled Vreta. His feelings stemmed from the fact that the Humans did not completely understand this technology they now commanded. It was not their creation, and based on its sophistication, the species that had created the Cradle was peer even to the Rothians, at least. They were "terraforming" a world they did not understand to their own ends, even though they did not truly know why it was originally created. Vreta absolutely supported the idea of studying and learning from the Cradle, but he would never have entertained the idea of using it so recklessly before it was fully understood. In any case, Vreta did have more present and immediate concerns right in front of him. Looking around outside the building, it seemed this district was something like an industrial park: plenty of similar-looking buildings and warehouses arranged in an organized grid pattern. Based on what he knew of the corporation that owned it, he expected it might have been a testing ground for new products and technologies, though he could not be sure. He quickly dipped into one of the nearby alleys to try and stick to the shadows, out of sight. He intended to move cautiously and see if he could spot any people and watch what they were doing.</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang The rest of the journey to the compound was uneventful. Freyr could feel palpable tension in the soldiers; several times it appeared Lieutenant Rowe spotted something, as he quickly looked into the sight of his assault weapon. Each time, after a few moments he slowly lowered it and exchanged looks with the driver. Within ten minutes of driving at very fast speeds, they approached the compound gates. Two more CraSec soldiers there motioned for them to stop, scanned the vehicle and then waved them through. This new corporate development was a grid of ugly, cavernous testing sheds at one end, and a small assortment of basic office buildings at the other. Freyr had seen various corporate enclaves like this appearing since the rules on private sector Cradle investment were relaxed a decade ago. It had made their work at the government R&D department more difficult, as these places were often situated where the Cradle's energy was most accessible. A phenomena that her team were trying to recreate, which often meant negotiating access to restricted areas. They drove to the front of the most aesthetically pleasing of the office buildings and parked. An assortment of CraSec and civilian buildings were already there, as well as a full squadron of security personnel. They stood at attention while being debriefed by a senior officer Freyr didn't recognise. She had never seen so many soldiers in one place during her time in the Cradle. Before she'd been put on leave, it was rare to see more than two of them at once outside of a barracks. As they got out of their buggy, the squadron saluted and began dispersing towards the warehouse grid. The senior officer looked their way. "Let me do the talking." Karos whispered urgently to Freyr as the woman walked over. "Welcome back, Doctor. Who is this?" she asked. "Good morning, Major! This is Dr Lang, my second. I'm hoping her unique perspective will help with the investigation." Karos replied cheerfully. "Freyr, this is Major Osman, she's overseeing this operation." Freyr shook Major Osman's hand. "I'm glad to hear it. At this point we need all the help we can get." Osman smiled grimly. "It happened on the top floor of this building - follow me." Osman took them briskly into the lobby of the building and up in the lift to the fifth floor. When the lift doors opened, a hive of activity greeted them. The atrium had been repurposed as a command centre, with civilian investigators hunched consoles and other equipment arrayed on trestle tables. Through a large arch in front of them, was a large open space full of office equipment. Near the middle, Freyr could see some of the tables had been overturned and a large portion of the window had been smashed in clear signs of a struggle. "Would you get Dr Lang set up with the video footage please?" Osman tapped one of the operators on the shoulder. He quickly punched up the start of a recording and vacated his chair for Freyr to sit down. Osman and Karos crowded round her to see the screen as well. Taking a deep breath, Freyr hit 'Play'.</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang The camera covering the incident was located in the same atrium they were in. Freyr looked up and over her shoulder to locate it behind her. The initial view was quite far from the action, but she could zoom and enhance it with little trouble. It was also a bit gloomy, as only the emergency lights were on. The timestamp at the start of the video was the dead of night in Babylon terms, so Freyr guessed everyone had long gone home. After a few seconds, four dark shapes appeared from the stairway in the corner of the frame. Freyr guessed these were the Skinners. They didn't look out of place, as they wore the standard issue Cradle newbie jumpsuit, however from the footage they were clearly on edge. The one in front brandished a pistol to ensure the office area was clear before motioning his colleagues forward. Two of the other activists were carrying bulky briefcases, which they laid down on two of the free tables. Once they'd been opened, Freyr paused the video and zoomed in. One of them was a laptop and one of them was clearly some kind of bomb. "How the fuck did they get a bomb into the Cradle?" Freyr asked. Major Osman shrugged. "We're looking into it now - they may have had help. Keep going, it gets better." Freyr hit play again. One of the activists armed the bomb, another connected their laptop to one of the consoles and then began typing manically. The other two checked out of the windows and generally looked nervous. "What was that?" Freyr asked, pointing to a section of the screen covered by the big side windows. "Just wait." Karos murmured. One of the guys standing guard seemed to notice it as well, as he stuck his face to the glass and peered in that direction. He turned around, shouted, and the other person rushed over as well. Freyr turned the sound on. "I didn't see what it was… i think it's below us!" "Ok. We need to wrap this up now!" How long until it's armed and the data is ours?" "Two minutes." "I need five." "We don't have five fucking minutes, we need to get out of here right now." "Wait...did you hear that?" "Yeah - get the scrambler armed and then we're leaving. I'm gonna check downst-" A loud crash made Freyr jump in her seat. In the blink of an eye, the activist standing by the window had just disappeared out of it. The man who'd just turned away to go downstairs whirled around, as did the two others on the opposite side of the space. The leader raised his pistol, but clearly hesitated when he saw what came through the window. Freyr leaned in til her face was almost touching the glass, not quite able to grasp what she was seeing. It had six insectoid legs, shiny black, and a compact, armoured carapace. But quite unlike anything Freyr had seen before, the carapace and abdomen behind that were punctured by at least a dozen violet tendrils. They worked as appendages to heave the creature through the gap and also held the immobile man it'd captured like a limp doll. The thing had a short neck and a face… Freyr's breath caught the moment she saw it. It was a human male's face, pale and contrasting with the sheer black of the body and legs. The eyes were bulging and completely black, but she recognised the face nonetheless. Her mouth dropped open and a silent scream shook her body as her eyes filled with tears. The creature had David's face. The rest of the abduction was very brief. Screams rang out on the recording as the leader fired his handgun at the creature. But when another of the things crashed through a window behind him, they were quickly overrun. The creatures held all four of them aloft like broken playthings and scooped up the unarmed briefcase bomb before exiting via the same windows they entered. But the only thing Freyr saw was her husband's visage through streams of tears as she howled in anguish at the screen.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta's investigation was a slow process. The marks on the office building were on multiple sides, so it was difficult to say at a glance exactly where those who made them had come from or gone too. He had to move slowly and carefully enough not to be spotted by the guards, while also keeping an eye on his surroundings for anything notably out of place. Fortunately, whatever damaged the office building did not seem to have the word "subtlety in their vocabulary. As he was circling the perimeter of the building, he noticed a high fence with plenty of marks, scratches, and a bit of damage of its own. Something had scaled it, and likely quickly. Now that he knew where to look, he could see traces of the intruders' path towards the building, though since he could not follow in that direction, he instead looked to track where they had come from. Following the path into the neighboring lot, Vreta soon realized there was a lot to track. He could not be sure of the exact size of the group that had scaled the office, but they had been moving in a rather loose group. Quite spread-out. It would take a while to investigate the area around the warehouse, and that was if he did not need to go inside. If he did, he would probably have to just be content with an incomplete search. Still, the soldiers guarding the office had not extended their perimeter to the neighboring lots, so it was possible he could find something before they decided to sweep the area.</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang "Freyr, i'm so sorry! I never wanted any of this, but now do you see how much we need you?" Karos soothed over Freyr's howling. He knelt down next to her on the floor as she sobbed into her hands and placed a reassuring arm around her. "What is happening, why is she crying like this?" Osman demanded. "As I suspected, those creatures have the face of Dr Lang's husband, who was abducted months ago." Karos replied, looking up at her. Osman grabbed him by the arm, pulled him back to his feet and moved him away from Freyr. "Are you out of your fucking mind? What kind of sicko brings a grieving woman to identify their husband as the face of a giant insect?" Osman hissed. "That grieving woman is also one of the most brilliant xenobiologists on the planet!" Karos hissed back, pointing to Freyr. "She may be the only person on Outremer who can figure out what's going on. I had to try!" "That's exactly what it is." Freyr said. Both of them turned to look at her. "What is?" Karos finally asked. "An insect. An ant, to be precise." Freyr continued. "Human settlers throughout the ages have inadvertently brought them all the way from Earth, hidden in food or raw materials. And when we first entered the Cradle via the underground vault, we brought them into the Cradle." Freyr got up, an idea tugging at a thread in her mind. She wiped tears from her eyes and rewound the recording to the first few frames where the creature was visible - she hid the face behind the second human man. "In some of the first records about life in the Cradle, they noted the Cradle responding differently to smaller lifeforms like ants. As they strayed into the uncontrolled zone, it would hijack them, sort of like other well known parasites. Control the body and add extraneous features." Freyr was searching through a database of scientific reports at this point, seeking to back up her hypothesis. There was something comforting about delving into information from the distant past to distract from the present. "Here we are." She said, pulling up pictures from three hundred and forty years previously, in the first years of the Cradle. It showed a common type of ant standing in a petri dish, with tiny purple stems sprouting from its body. "It's pretty similar to our friends on the video." Karos remarked. "Exactly." Freyr confirmed, turning to them. "So, what are you saying, Dr Lang?" Osman asked. "Well, based on the evidence available, i'd say most of the genetic makeup for these creatures didn't come from inside the Cradle. It may not have the means or the imagination to design it from scratch, so it's hi-jacking our fauna, making it bigger, adding those appendages and that...face." She exhaled deeply again. "This is progress!" Karos beamed. A beam which folded into a guilty grimace in the face of Freyr's obvious distress. "Listen, Freyr, I am so sorry again to bring you here. But this is exactly the kind of info we can use! I couldn't tell you about it beforehand, as it would've coloured your judgement. I needed to see if you recognised that face without any-" The comm set on the table chirruped, and a voice called from it. "Major, there's some kind of disturbance in one of these testing sheds, what would you like us to do?" Osman quickly picked up the handset and raised it to her mouth. "Establish a perimeter, we're-" Suddenly, every light, screen and piece of equipment went dead. They were plunged into darkness, until Osman's suit torch clicked on. "Lieutenant, come in!" the Major quickly moved out of the atrium into the main office area to look out of the windows. When she came back, she had drawn her sidearm. "Everything is dark. Follow me."</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta's investigation was a slow process. The marks on the office building were on multiple sides, so it was difficult to say at a glance exactly where those who made them had come from or gone too. He had to move slowly and carefully enough not to be spotted by the guards, while also keeping an eye on his surroundings for anything notably out of place. Fortunately, whatever damaged the office building did not seem to have the word "subtlety in their vocabulary. As he was circling the perimeter of the building, he noticed a high fence with plenty of marks, scratches, and a bit of damage of its own. Something had scaled it, and likely quickly. Now that he knew where to look, he could see traces of the intruders' path towards the building, though since he could not follow in that direction, he instead looked to track where they had come from. Following the path into the neighboring lot, Vreta soon realized there was a lot to track. He could not be sure of the exact size of the group that had scaled the office, but they had been moving in a rather loose group. Quite spread-out. It would take a while to investigate the area around the warehouse, and that was if he did not need to go inside. If he did, he would probably have to just be content with an incomplete search. Still, the soldiers guarding the office had not extended their perimeter to the neighboring lots, so it was possible he could find something before they decided to sweep the area.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang "Freyr, i'm so sorry! I never wanted any of this, but now do you see how much we need you?" Karos soothed over Freyr's howling. He knelt down next to her on the floor as she sobbed into her hands and placed a reassuring arm around her. "What is happening, why is she crying like this?" Osman demanded. "As I suspected, those creatures have the face of Dr Lang's husband, who was abducted months ago." Karos replied, looking up at her. Osman grabbed him by the arm, pulled him back to his feet and moved him away from Freyr. "Are you out of your fucking mind? What kind of sicko brings a grieving woman to identify their husband as the face of a giant insect?" Osman hissed. "That grieving woman is also one of the most brilliant xenobiologists on the planet!" Karos hissed back, pointing to Freyr. "She may be the only person on Outremer who can figure out what's going on. I had to try!" "That's exactly what it is." Freyr said. Both of them turned to look at her. "What is?" Karos finally asked. "An insect. An ant, to be precise." Freyr continued. "Human settlers throughout the ages have inadvertently brought them all the way from Earth, hidden in food or raw materials. And when we first entered the Cradle via the underground vault, we brought them into the Cradle." Freyr got up, an idea tugging at a thread in her mind. She wiped tears from her eyes and rewound the recording to the first few frames where the creature was visible - she hid the face behind the second human man. "In some of the first records about life in the Cradle, they noted the Cradle responding differently to smaller lifeforms like ants. As they strayed into the uncontrolled zone, it would hijack them, sort of like other well known parasites. Control the body and add extraneous features." Freyr was searching through a database of scientific reports at this point, seeking to back up her hypothesis. There was something comforting about delving into information from the distant past to distract from the present. "Here we are." She said, pulling up pictures from three hundred and forty years previously, in the first years of the Cradle. It showed a common type of ant standing in a petri dish, with tiny purple stems sprouting from its body. "It's pretty similar to our friends on the video." Karos remarked. "Exactly." Freyr confirmed, turning to them. "So, what are you saying, Dr Lang?" Osman asked. "Well, based on the evidence available, i'd say most of the genetic makeup for these creatures didn't come from inside the Cradle. It may not have the means or the imagination to design it from scratch, so it's hi-jacking our fauna, making it bigger, adding those appendages and that...face." She exhaled deeply again. "This is progress!" Karos beamed. A beam which folded into a guilty grimace in the face of Freyr's obvious distress. "Listen, Freyr, I am so sorry again to bring you here. But this is exactly the kind of info we can use! I couldn't tell you about it beforehand, as it would've coloured your judgement. I needed to see if you recognised that face without any-" The comm set on the table chirruped, and a voice called from it. "Major, there's some kind of disturbance in one of these testing sheds, what would you like us to do?" Osman quickly picked up the handset and raised it to her mouth. "Establish a perimeter, we're-" Suddenly, every light, screen and piece of equipment went dead. They were plunged into darkness, until Osman's suit torch clicked on. "Lieutenant, come in!" the Major quickly moved out of the atrium into the main office area to look out of the windows. When she came back, she had drawn her sidearm. "Everything is dark. Follow me."</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta's explorations had taken him all around the warehouse. There were traces of disturbances everywhere, but for a while, he did not find anything outright interesting. He went all around the outside of the warehouse to see if there was any evidence of someone breaking in to the warehouse itself, but there were no signs of a forced entry. That is, until he went around the side closest to the office. What did catch Vreta's attention as he finally moved around closer to the office was a certain scent. It was present around the other marks the intruders had made as well, but this was…stronger. Fresh, even. The scent came from one of the doors to the warehouse near the fence, which was something Vreta supposed was worth investigating. Cautiously. As he stepped up to the door, Vreta immediately noticed that it had been opened rather forcefully at some point before. The door was warped and its handle broken. It was shut now, but only because a part of the bottom of the door was misshapen and pressing against the door frame. There was no handle to grab, so Vreta put his hand firmly on the door and gave it a strong shove. "By the Rings!" Vreta could not help but to exclaim. What was inside was far from anything he had expected, and was far from natural.</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang This industrial warehouse was being used to test cutting edge interplanetary communications systems. The main feature was a tall, complex-looking comms array pointing to the ceiling, with banks of consoles sat around it. A creature very similar to the ones that had kidnapped the Skinners was perched halfway up this array. It's thin, faintly glowing tendrils were stuck inside various control panels on this machine. It was obviously at full power, because a faint humming reverberated around the warehouse. When the creature heard Vreta shout, it craned its stubby neck until the pale human face was starting right at him. After a split second, it screamed in an in-human voice that started shrill and ended in a guttural roar. At the same time, all of its tendrils exploded from their anchorages inside the comms array, sending a huge shower of sparks out into the Warehouse. The lights inside flickered and died, leaving a almost-total darkness, punctuated only by the effervescent glow of these appendages, reflecting off it's glistening face. It jumped down and skittered across the intervening space, until its face hung in front of Vreta, just out of arm's reach. It's tendrils waved gently in the air between them. It's mouth moved, unsure at first, as though unpracticed. Just a wet ticking sound emerged at first, but gradually hoarse words followed. "Who....are…you?" It edged a little closer.</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta was a claw's tip away from striking the creature in the head with whatever it was he had grabbed in his hand when it shrieked, though it was quickly apparent that its scream was not directed at him. In fact, the beast rather quickly lost any semblance of interest in him once the Human woman made her presence known. The words the creature had spoke were just as vague as before. It spoke of knowing him, which was almost certainly not literal, but it was hardly the time for him to introspectively ponder their meaning. He needed to get out. The Human was providing an ample distraction for him, but unfortunately he did not know his way around this warehouse, and he was not about to stumble around blindly in the darkness looking for a way out. The only exit he could see was the one he came in, and both the woman and the creature were between him and it. Inwardly, Vreta felt that he was about to make perhaps the stupidest choice of his life, but nevertheless, he saw no other option. He needed to at least get closer to the exit. He kept the metal object in his hand, though also kept it hidden behind his back, as he moved forward in the direction of the creature. He remained close to the wall while trying to avoid appearing aggressive. "I've been talking with our…friend here too. It mentioned wanting to find its toys, so maybe we should take our leave here and go…look for them? To help our friend here."</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr gulped, looking into the black eyes of the beast. It had stalled just outside of the glow of the torch she had aimed at the floor, and appeared to be waiting for her to do something. Shifting the light ever so slightly upwards, she noticed exposed cartilage between the top of its legs and the thorax, which presented a potential weak spot. She also observed significant scar tissue around the edges of the human face looking straight at her. It was like the face had grown from the insectoid head not long ago, in a not too pleasant transition. She vaguely registered the scaled alien talking somewhere in the dark. But none of that concerned her right now; the only reason she was face to face with it was to ask one thing: "David?" she ventured. Her voice was wobbly and high pitched. "David, it's Freyr. Is...is that you?" She took a few steps toward the creature as it tilted its head to one side. "Who...is David?" A wet, crunchy voice replied to her. "He...he's my husband. Your face reminds me of him." After a couple of seconds, the creature laughed. Freyr could hear tools rattling on a shelf nearby. "They're mine." It replied. A glow of hope lighted in Freyr's head, mixed with incandescent anger. She rushed forward, until her torch clearly illuminated it's large ant-like frame. "You let them go!" She screamed. The creature growled, revealing sharp knife-like teeth. It's black eyes bore directly into hers. "I have a better idea." It squelched. Freyr felt the tendrils grasping the back of her legs a split-second before they pulled her off her feet. The ground rushed up to greet her as she fell over, her outstretched arms taking most of the impact. Suddenly the warehouse was lit up by energy rounds, with dozens impacting the creature before it reared up on hind legs and screamed. Slithering round onto her back, Freyr spotted Major Osman behind her. In the flashing glare she could see her shouting, but it was drowned out by the deafening 'drdrdrdrdr' of her weapon. The creature charged toward the Major, stepping over Freyr but then dragging her behind by her legs.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Everything started happening quickly, especially after the Human started shouting. The monster Vreta had been trying to escape grabbed the woman with its tendrils. It might have been a good distraction for him to slip out unseen, but it was just an instant later that a soldier barged in, with likely more outside. That was a complication that he had no easy answer to, and one that would force his hand more than even this nightmare of a creature before them. With the soldiers knowing he was there, just getting away would not be enough. "Damn it…" Vreta muttered under his breath. The only choices he saw in front of him seemed rather stupid in his eyes, but he did not have time to hesitate. Just as the Human woman was starting to get dragged away, Vreta leaped into action. He kept low to stay out of the line of fire and grabbed a hold of her leg with his free hand to try and keep her from being dragged away. Then, he smashed the metal object in his other hand, which seemed to be a hand-held cutting torch, against the tendril as hard as he could, crushing it between the torch and the hard floor. Hopefully, this thing actually felt pain enough that it could be "convinced" to let her go.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Even as the alien grabbed Freyr's leg, she could still feel them being dragged across the floor. Slower than before, but they were nonetheless being dragged inexorably toward Osman and the door. However, when the alien whacked one of the tendrils, it seemed to twitch instinctively, giving Freyr enough slack to shake her left leg free. With both of them now being dragged by just one tendril, the creature seemed unable to take them any further. Under heavy fire at the front, it also seemed to lack the presence of mind to reaffirm it's grip on Freyr. Instead, it released her other leg as well, freeing it up to charge at the Major. Osman backed up to the wall and fired till the last moment before turning her gun sideways to help deflect any sharp jabs. But instead, the creature turned at the last second and barrelled into her with the full weight of its abdomen, crushing her with it's whole body mass. Osman cried in pain before her head slumped against her chest. With the immediate threat neutralised, the creature's tendrils wrapped around the door Osman had just emerged from, presumably to prise it open. From her crumpled position on the floor, the torch lying just out of her grasp, all Freyr could do was shout. "Hey, leave her alone!" Her arms were in pain from the fall, but she managed to lever herself into a standing position.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori At the moment, it seemed like Vreta was the only one in a position to actually react. He regained his footing quickly after freeing the first Human woman, so he could still do something. The soldier took a hard hit. Vreta did not know if she still lived and was just incapacitated, but he could at least make the effort to save her. Vreta's own saving grace was the fact that the creature did not immediately shift its attention to him. He kept low and rushed to the soldier, putting one arm around her to help drag her back away from the beast while its attention was on the door. In his other hand, he grabbed her rifle, but focused mostly on putting some distance between the beast and the two of them, though that only lasted a few seconds. When the Human shouted at the creature, Vreta had to make a choice. Ideally, he would just want to let the thing run away and leave them alone, but if one soldier had found them, then there were probably even more outside. They would likely shoot on sight, and the creature would duck back indoors, even if it did get the door open. This was probably not going to be as easy as just letting it run away, so Vreta had to act. Vreta removed his arm from around the soldier, then threw the cutting torch he had been holding at the creature's feet. As it flew through the air, he quickly transitioned to taking aim with the rifle with practiced speed. The weapon itself was small and somewhat awkward in his hands, but he still held it as one with familiarity with firearms. As the cutter hit the ground, he opened fire on its fuel tank, turning it into a makeshift incendiary bomb and coating the creature's underside in a layer of burning liquid fuel.</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang The creature issued a window shattering shriek, its face turned toward the ceiling. It's tendrils all went taut, pulling the door clean off its hinges. Without turning, the creature threw the door over its head, straight at the lizard alien, who was bathed in light from the creature's flaming underside. "Look out!" Freyr shouted, picking up the torch and running forward. She wasn't sure what she could do to help; the workstations nearby were packed with tools but shining the light on them gave few clues as to what might be used as a weapon. In the end she left them all and ran instead toward Osman, who lay crumpled near the feet of this mysterious alien. --- With the door removed, the creature quickly crushed itself through the opening, it's tendrils trailing behind it like the string from a bunch of helium balloons. Inside this staff room, it found more humans entering through the opposite door, lights shining from the end of their weapons. It didn't like confined spaces, and desperately wanted to get out. Making itself as big as possible, it charged at them. --- Freyr heard a cacophony of gunfire and blood curdling screams erupt from inside the room the creature had just entered. One shot fizzed through the doorway and took a divot out of the stone flooring nearby. Freyr rushed the remaining distance to where Osman lay and knelt with her back to the doorway to protect the Major. "Osman, can you hear me?" She shouted over the gunfire, slapping the soldier lightly on the cheek a few times. She seemed to stir lightly, batting her eyelids and opening her mouth. "She's alive!" Freyr called, just as three points off in the gloom of the warehouse flashed with small explosions. She could see bright lights spilling through them, and recognised CraSec soldiers running into the cavernous space.</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang The creature issued a window shattering shriek, its face turned toward the ceiling. It's tendrils all went taut, pulling the door clean off its hinges. Without turning, the creature threw the door over its head, straight at the lizard alien, who was bathed in light from the creature's flaming underside. "Look out!" Freyr shouted, picking up the torch and running forward. She wasn't sure what she could do to help; the workstations nearby were packed with tools but shining the light on them gave few clues as to what might be used as a weapon. In the end she left them all and ran instead toward Osman, who lay crumpled near the feet of this mysterious alien. --- With the door removed, the creature quickly crushed itself through the opening, it's tendrils trailing behind it like the string from a bunch of helium balloons. Inside this staff room, it found more humans entering through the opposite door, lights shining from the end of their weapons. It didn't like confined spaces, and desperately wanted to get out. Making itself as big as possible, it charged at them. --- Freyr heard a cacophony of gunfire and blood curdling screams erupt from inside the room the creature had just entered. One shot fizzed through the doorway and took a divot out of the stone flooring nearby. Freyr rushed the remaining distance to where Osman lay and knelt with her back to the doorway to protect the Major. "Osman, can you hear me?" She shouted over the gunfire, slapping the soldier lightly on the cheek a few times. She seemed to stir lightly, batting her eyelids and opening her mouth. "She's alive!" Freyr called, just as three points off in the gloom of the warehouse flashed with small explosions. She could see bright lights spilling through them, and recognised CraSec soldiers running into the cavernous space.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta did his best to duck down as the creature tossed the door at him, though it did strike him on his back. It was more of a glancing blow, though it still knocked him flat on his face. He slammed his snout on the ground hard enough to knock out a few front teeth. He likely would have been shouting obscenities, were it not for the fact that the impact also knocked his breath away. Regardless, he was not hurt badly enough that he could not push himself back up to his feet, especially as he could remind himself that none of the injuries were actually "real." By the time Vreta had collected himself, the creature was already running away, and it sounded like the other soldiers were dealing with it…or at least attempting to. At any rate, for him and the other two Humans, he felt that their part in this fight was firmly over. Vreta staggered over to the pair of Humans, approaching the wounded soldier from the opposite side as the other woman. "Come on, we just need to get out of here. If we get her out of the Cradle, she'll be fine. Just help me lift her up. We'll take her to your other soldier friends outside, then we'll all get out of this nightmare."</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr nodded numbly. The gunfire, explosions and screams were ringing in her ears, blocking out most of what the alien was saying to her. She understood what he meant when he began picking Osman up, and grabbed one of her arms to help. The Major groaned and began murmuring something when they finally got her upright, but Freyr couldn't make out what she was saying. "It's okay, we're going to get you out of here!" Freyr reassured her. She glanced across Osman at the alien awkwardly holding her other arm, seeing him properly for the first time, dimly lit by the Major's flickering chest lamp. It appeared to be a large bipedal reptile, dark green in colour with yellow stripes down its neck and sides. She vaguely remembered seeing an alien like this before. "Thank you, for saving us!" She shouted after a few seconds. The gunfire had grown a little quieter now, as if it'd moved outside, but it was still very loud. The soldiers who'd blown their way into the warehouse were much closer now. They'd spread out in a long line, their torches sweeping the area before them. When they spotted the three of them, a dozen soldiers quickly surrounded them, while the rest pushed on past. Most of the soldiers who had stopped had their guns trained on the alien. "Identify yourselves!" One of them shouted. "I'm Doctor Freyr Lang, I was investigating the abductions! This alien, well, he saved Major Osman and myself." Freyr responded shakily, her free hand raised above her head. Even blinded by the bright lights attached to all their guns, she could tell they were unconvinced. "She needs urgent medical attention, or an extraction from the Cradle." Freyr felt a gun poke her back, and a strong hand slide under Osman's armpit, taking the strain from her. She let go of the Major and took one step away; several of the bright lights followed her. She put both of her hands up. The soldier in front of them pointed his gun directly at the alien. "What're you doing here?"</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta gladly let the other soldiers take charge of the injured woman. As long as they were somewhat competent, they would remove her from the Cradle as quickly as they could, which was exactly what Vreta wanted for himself as well. He was sure there was a great deal more he could learn about the Cradle from this creature, but it was far too much of a risk to stay without proper armaments. Wiping away some of the blood from his mouth, Vreta answered the soldier. "Right now, I'm trying to get out of the Cradle as fast as I can, which is exactly what you soldiers should be doing too. Before that creature crushed this woman's chest cavity, I saw her empty a dozen or more shots from her rifle into it, then I caught it on fire with some tools that were laying around, and all of that just seemed to make it angrier. Unless you want more people to end up like her, or worse…" He said, pointing to the Major. "…then you need to evacuate this area. Come back with heavier ordinance if you really want to kill it, but that rifle of hers wasn't very effective. Now, my name is Vreta'Sori, official representative of the Zuraxi'Synkuur corporation to all of its business partners on Outremer. I'll gladly answer any of your questions about what I saw once we're out of the Cradle. I'm a guest of the Synastar Hotel, and I will stay there to wait for you."</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang The lead soldier was very still for a moment, presumably as he weighed up this alien...Vreta'Sori's account. Freyr saw light reflect off a set of cuffs that one of the grunts behind them had pulled out, but the leader motioned for them to stop. He looked at Freyr. "Is this true, Doctor?" She nodded. "As far as i know. The bit about the creature certainly is." An abrupt sound of rending metal stood out from the gunfire in the distance. Freyr looked in the direction it came from but could see nothing in the pitch black. Several of the soldiers turned to scan the area as well. The lead soldier considered his options. Grabbing a large, high powered comms device with an aerial off the vest of the soldier next to him, he called into it. "Cradle Actual, come in, over." Silence. "No good Sarge, Control is still dark. Some kind of interference." The soldier he'd taken the device from reported. The sergeant groaned, changing tack. "Dagger One, this is Dagger Nine, we have wounded and a UAL, heading back to the rally point now." He gave the comms device back. "Ok, we'll escort you to the trucks and raise Control from there. Don't make me regret not cuffing you." He directed the last comment squarely at the alien. "Lets move, eyes on a swivel!" He shouted, turning around. As one, the soldiers began making their way back to the hole they'd made in the side of the warehouse. An automated, hovering stretcher bearing Major Osman passed by Freyr. Soon after that, a firm hand encouraged her to move forward with them. About one hundred meters from where they'd stood, a large rent in the metal wall of the warehouse had been blown open. They climbed through it all together, the soldiers in formation around the stretcher, Freyr and the alien. They turned left, and headed in what Freyr could only assume was the direction of the office buildings. She could still hear gunfire, but it seemed more distant now, and muffled somehow. She glanced at the alien. The poor thing seemed to have lost some teeth, and was bleeding from its snout. Now the initial shock had passed, Freyr's mind drifted back to the beginning of the encounter. She shuddered as she remembered the creature's composite construction. What did strike her as odd, now she thought about it, was what the alien and the creature were doing together, when she first poked her head around the door. "When i came in...were you talking to that thing too? I heard noises. What did it say?" Freyr asked. The soldier in front of her tried the massive walkie talkie again. "Dagger One, this is Dagger Nine. What is your status? Over." This time there were static, and low warbling noises. Then suddenly a faint voice. "krrrrrfall….gotkrrrrrrrr...run!" The comms device went dead again. A few of the soldiers looked at each other. "Pick up the pace!" The sergeant urged.</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr looked up at the alien, Vreta, she vaguely remembered his name was, and nodded numbly. "Move move move!" the sergeant shouted, shooting at something behind them as Freyr broke into a run, torch shaking across the ground in front of her. Several of the soldiers soon overtook her, their guns up and scanning the path between two more warehouses in front of them. Freyr could just about make out the racks of strong lights mounted on top of the CraSec vehicles a few hundred metres in front of them. They were parked outside the office buildings they'd started their investigations in. That all seemed like a very, very long time ago now. A few seconds later, a cacophony of gunfire, shouting and other unnatural sounds joined the sporadic shooting from the rear of their group. It was coming from up ahead. In the back of her mind, Freyr knew she'd heard that transition from muffled hum to translatable sounds before. People had just passed back through the Border. Sure enough, she could see numerous torchlights and muzzle flashes from around the corner of the next warehouse. The gunfire and screaming increased as they ran towards the action, until sure enough, it erupted out right in front of them. About two dozen CraSec soldiers spilled out into the crossroads in front of them from the left hand side and were immediately overrun by a swarm of creatures. They looked like muscle-bound, bald hunting dogs, except for the thin purple tendrils sprouting out all over their bodies. Dozens of them ran amok in the crowd of soldiers, jumping up, all teeth and black eyes, to pull them screaming to the floor. Freyr skidded to halt as the action exploded across the road in front of her. She could see the Border had advanced even closer to the crossroads here too. Sitting halfway through the opaque surface, she caught a glimpse of a huge, bulbous sack of flesh, covered in purple appendages. It appeared to be pulling itself out of the Border wall by way of these tentacles. More hellhounds ripped their way out of the sack with their teeth and charged into the group. Freyr froze, her hands to her mouth and tears welling in her eyes. It didn't last long, as one of the canine-like creatures leapt at her, only to be blown to pieces at close range. "Doctor Lang, follow me!" A man shouted in her face. Freyr realised it was Lieutenant Rowe, holding a bulky shotgun. He turned, shot another canine running at him from behind, dropped the shotgun and shot another with his pistol before being plowed into the floor by three more. Freyr ran through the gap he'd created, toward the halo of lights by the trucks, hands covering her ears. Screaming and shouting mingling with staccato gunfire and in-human snarls on all sides. "Back to the trucks! Back to the trucks!" She heard someone yell nearby, and held onto them as they pushed through the melee. She looked desperately for Major Osman and the alien, both who had saved her, but couldn't see them.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Unlike some of the others, Vreta did not lose focus on his destination in his sprint towards the trucks. He was quick on his feet and could see well, even in this strange fog. His hearing might not have been as sharp as the Humans' but in this cacophony of gunfire, screams, and howling, that was not terribly relevant. He just had to keep his objective in sight and avoid panicking. Were it not for the hovering, frictionless stretcher, Vreta likely would have been forced to abandon the wounded soldier, but as it stood, pushing her around did not meaningfully slow him down. Besides which, even incapacitated, she still did have a use or two to him. The arrival of the hounds had been a moment of genuine fear for Vreta. Until that point, salvation had been ahead of them, with death chasing behind. He just had to let the soldiers fight and get to their escape. Now, creatures were swarming everywhere, including the path ahead. Now, there was much less certainty for him and his own survival. He could not guarantee, or even somewhat ensure, his own safety. For a Rothian, there were few things more terrifying than the loss of their eternal lives. It was only due to his training that he did not panic. He still had a way out; he just had to make sure he reached it. For most of his dash towards their escape, Vreta steered clear of the soldiers and let them take the attention of the growing horde of monsters. As fast as he was, he was among the first to reach the trucks, but he was not alone. The hounds were quick, and some were moving to cut them off. One climbed over the roof of the very truck he wanted to enter, while another started to circle around from his right. Fortunately, that was where his first use for his injured charge came into play. From the holster on her hip, he grabbed her sidearm and quickly fired a burst of three rounds at the hound on top of the truck. It was a fast draw, and at least one shot found its mark on center mass, but the second of the hounds was already barreling towards him as he was transferring his aim to it. The beast leaped at him, going for his throat, so Vreta guarded himself with his arm. The hound bit down hard on his forearm, but Vreta kept his composure enough to press the barrel of his pistol against the creature's own neck and pull the trigger. Vreta managed to avoid getting knocked off his feet and dropped the dead hound to the ground. He grimaced at his bloody arm, but with his adrenaline pumping, he would not feel it. Yet. The greater concern would be his escape. As he moved towards the driver side door, he realized another problem. These trucks were primitive compared to Rothian vehicles, and he had seen them driven enough in his time here that he had every confidence he could drive them as well. However, he had not yet driven one, and the thought came to mind that he did not actually know how to start their vehicles. He had no doubt that he could figure it out, but it would be much quicker for a Human to do it instead. Letting out a growl of his own, Vreta moved up to one of the rear doors of the vehicle and turned around, shouting in his distinctive voice and holding his pistol ready to fend off anymore hounds that came his way. "Over here!"</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang The soldier Freyr had latched onto was big and burly, and used his mass to crash through waves of the snapping creatures. One of the canines cut through the thigh of his suit and drew a fountain of blood, until Freyr kicked it off and followed up by stamping on its head. An energy pulse fizzed past, searing the flesh all the way up her left arm. Freyr screamed in pain and stumbled on, falling over a pile of canine corpses. She couldn't find a purchase on the slippery bodies, until a hand grabbed her armpit and hauled her to her feet. "Time to go, ma'am!" Rowe shouted at her, covered in blood. "I thought you were dead!" Freyr shouted, as they suddenly burst out the other end of the throng. "Not yet ma'am!" Rowe yelled, sending two rounds through a dog wrestling with the soldier Freyr had been following just moments before. He grabbed the man up off the floor and pushed him toward the trucks. "Bishop, take Doctor Lang to the trucks and get them started right now!" Rowe then worked to free another soldier, firing shots into the skull of a dog with it's tendrils wrapped around them. "Copy that. With me!" Bishop boomed, pushing Freyr ahead of him as they started to run. They passed a ragged line of CraSec soldiers, who had managed to free themselves and were now holding back the tsunami of horrors careering toward them. Sprinting now, they passed a thin stream of soldiers variously supporting or dragging other people towards the trucks. Some had smashed helmets and their faces half bitten off. Others were just screaming into the air, their eyes wide. "Back to the trucks, let's move!" Bishop yelled, picking up one of the wounded to free up the soldier dragging them to fight on. Freyr's vision was so blurry from running and the Border fog that she didn't notice Vreta and Osman until Bishop shouted "Who the fuck is that!?" and pointed his pistol at the alien with one hand. He was understandably on edge, with everything going on. "Don't shoot! He's with me!" Freyr called as they finally reached the trucks, taking a gamble on the alien's gender. Bishop didn't seem entirely convinced, but a scream like fingernails running down slate quickly stirred him back into action. "Ok, move move move!" He shooed Vreta away from the back door before opening it up and securing the wounded soldier inside, before going to the stretcher for Osman. Freyr looked back toward the cacophony of gunfire between the warehouses. She could see about a dozen soldiers making their way back to the convoy. A desperate rearguard action, led by Lieutenant Rowe, was being brutally pushed back by hordes of hellhounds. Freyr ran over to support the closest of the soldiers, quickly marching them over to another of the trucks. Upon opening the passenger door she was staring down the barrel of a pistol held by Karos Childermass. His hands were shaking and his face was white. Freyr snatched the handgun out of his hand, turned away from the door and was instantly pinned against the side of the truck by one of the hellhounds. It jumped up, it's dripping jaws snapping at her face. Her gun hand was stuck just holding its teeth away from her throat. "Oh fuck, It's back!" Bishop shouted from the other side of the truck, pointing to the corner of the office building they were backed up against. The human-faced insectoid creature had just emerged from the darkness. Just behind it was the Border, now creeping forward at a walking pace. Bishop fired his assault rifle at the creature from the hip, shouting and swearing at the soldiers pouring in around him to get strapped into the vehicles.</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Inwardly, Vreta wished they could just get the trucks moving. One of the soldiers had gotten it started, but they were probably going to wait as long as they could get away with to save as many of their people as they could. Without a doubt, Vreta was not going to be able to dissuade them from that; there was no point in even trying. The best he could hope to do was to speed along the process. Vreta climbed up onto the open back of the truck. There were plenty of seats in the back, but he did not try to squeeze into any of them just yet. He remained standing in the back, alternating between firing off shots at any approaching hounds and helping to hoist up soldiers into the back with him. He did not much like putting more stress on his injured arm, but he just kept reminding himself that it was not his actual arm. If there was one thing Vreta could be relieved about with these hounds, it was that they would actually die when shot, which could not be said about the first creature they saw. He had not been terribly impressed with these soldiers so far, but now that they were being backed into their final "corner", into these vehicles they had to defend, their desperation was inspiring a decent defense. As they were loading up the trucks, soldiers in the back joined in laying down fire on the advancing hounds. The situation was far from "good", but it was actually seeming somewhat better for a time…until it very suddenly became much worse. The first of the creatures, the monstrous insect that had simply refused to die, had returned. "Damn it…we need to leave!" Vreta shouted, though he would not be surprised if he was not heard in the chaos. At the very least, there was something new he had to work with, this time around. All of the trucks had a mounted turret on top, and they looked stronger than the standard rifles. His truck was nearly full in any case, so Vreta quickly transitioned from helping up the others and moved behind the turret. He might not have been the most familiar with their vehicles, but he had spent more time learning about their weapons. The turret's controls were intuitive enough, so he traversed it left until he could bring the muzzle to bear on the insectoid. From there, he opened fire with no intent to stop until something was dead. The heavy energy projectiles were larger, brighter, and certainly sounded more hefty than those of the rifles. He supposed he would see soon if the extra energy was actually meaningful.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang The insectoid nightmare issued the same nails-on-a-chalkboard scream under the hail of concentrated energy, and charged the front truck that Vreta occupied. Lieutenant Rowe, now one of the final surviving soldiers to have not got into a vehicle, saw the creature's approach and began running toward it. "Get out of here NOW!" He yelled, grabbing a limpet charge from the back of Vreta's truck just as it began turning to leave the compound. On the run, he shot two canines in his way before dropping the empty pistol and attaching the charge to his chest. With hellhounds diverting their attention from the bright lights of the truck to chase him, Rowe met the charging insect creature about twenty metres in front of the trucks and detonated the limpet. He vanished as a deafening directional explosion sprayed blood over the bonnet of the first truck. The creature was bounced directly through a glass window on the adjacent office building's first floor. The force of the explosion knocked Freyr, and the canine trying to bite her face off, to the ground. She could feel the truck she'd previously been pinned against rolling off behind her. She managed to wrestle her way on top of the struggling hound and put a bullet in its snapping snout. Staggering to her feet, she turned around and saw the convoy quickly turning in the car park space, to face the compound exit. Soldiers were standing up in the open back of all the trucks, firing behind her. Their faces were yelling at her to get aboard, but her ears were still ringing from the explosion. She had no idea how to get aboard now they were all in motion, but fortunately, the passenger door of the third truck swung open and she could see Bishop leaning across the seats with his hand outstretched, his dark face slick with sweat inside his helmet. She ran to the side of the truck and grabbed his hand. He immediately hauled her into the cabin, where she managed to tuck herself in and slam the door shut. With the first truck having completed the U-turn, the four-vehicle convoy sped up considerably, motoring toward the compound exit with canines flooding around the skirts. Freyr realised she was hyper ventilating when she got sat down, and tried to calm herself. The sound of the energy cannon above them was ear-splittingly loud, but she could just about hear Bishop's bellowing voice as he peered through the rear view mirror. "The Border is coming! Move it!" He shouted, leaning on the truck horn.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori As they began to accelerate, Vreta turned his turret around and swiveled it to focus on hounds running at them from the side. The insectoid monster, if not dead, was at least prevented from reaching the trucks. The soldier's sacrifice, he felt, was a brave one, and perhaps necessary for their escape. Despite how quickly most of the rest of these soldiers had crumbled under the pressure from these monsters, he had done well. Vreta had wished it had been another of the soldiers to make the sacrifice; their leader would have been more useful to keep around than any of the others. The heavy turret Vreta was using could essentially blast apart one of the hounds in a single shot, but even with several of them firing, they could not deal with all of the beasts swarming them. Not before a few of the trucks at the rear of the convoy had hounds reach them and start climbing up the sides. With Vreta's truck being at the front of the convoy, though, there was little he could do to help. There would be far too much risk of damaging either the trucks, or the people in them, if he tried turning his turret on them. There were still plenty of armed soldiers in the trucks, though, so they would just have to deal with the beasts themselves. The hounds were not going to be reaching the front vehicle once they were up to speed, so as long as they could continue to outrun the border, it finally started to seem like they had a clear escape ahead of them. He had run out of targets to shoot from the angles available to him, so he was finally able to just lean back in his seat and catch his breath. They were not out of danger yet, but he was feeling calmer…which meant he was also starting to feel some of the sensations his mind had been repressing. His arm was slowly filling with a sharp, burning pain that had him wincing. The bleeding was not alarmingly severe, but it also had not yet stopped. For a moment, he intended to ask someone to bandage him, but looking around the back of the truck, he saw a few Humans that were…far worse off than he was, to put it mildly. For now, Vreta just kept quiet and held one arm under the other to keep pressure on the wound.</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr could hear the hell hounds scrabbling at the armour plate doors above the din of the energy cannon. But she barely saw them in her rear view mirror; her eyes were glued to the rippling Border wall. The lights were out on the road they'd powered onto, but the convoy's floodlights traced the purple arteries running up that black curtain of night. Gradually, she could see canines appearing in the rearview mirror too, as they failed to keep up with the speeding trucks. The Border caught up with them, sucking them in. "It's reclaiming this whole site." Freyr murmured, fascinated despite everything that was happening. She'd never seen the Cradle react in such a way, no one had. "Cradle Control, come in. We could really use reinforcements at our nearest transit station, over!" Bishop called into his comms unit. "Dagger 7, we're receiving-" "Bishop, look out!" Freyr shouted over the reply. The Border surged forward suddenly, rushing up and swallowing the fourth vehicle in their convoy. For a moment it looked like they may be able to outrun it, but the Border kept gathering speed and enveloped them. Once inside, the sound muffled considerably, and the atmosphere filled with thousands of white flakes. Freyr's lungs felt the pressure right away, as the Cradle began reducing the oxygen programmed into this previously colonised area. After a couple of seconds, the truck began alternating between regular engine noise and a shrill whining sound, as though systems were failing. The halo of bright lights around the sides of the truck flickered and died, leaving just the headlights and gun lights. "No no no no no!" Bishop yelled, hitting buttons on the dashboard. "Are we slowing down? What's happening?" A soldier called in through the hatch separating the cabin from the turret and troop bay. "Yeah! Something is messing with us. I think I can at least get the lights back on!" Bishop replied. Still peering through the rearview mirror, Freyr let out a surprised yelp when the lights came back on. A large, pale, long-legged beetle with the now synonymous purple tendril extensions was perched on top of the truck behind them, ripping the helpless soldiers aboard it apart with its pincers. Freyr could see several of the tendrils flailing around inside the cabin, grabbing at the driver. The truck veered off the road, into the uncharted ground alongside. "They're under attack, shoot that thing!" Freyr shouted, her face stuck up against the side window. "Fuck that, we have more incoming!" The soldier on the turret yelled, firing at four more of the beetles as they raced out of the swirling storm of flakes at blistering speed, two either side of the convoy. "How are they going that fast?!" Bishop exclaimed. "Tiger beetles are built for speed!" The biologist in Freyr forced her to answer.</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori It was just never going to end, was it? One crisis after another, a new threat every time one fell. At this point, Vreta was not sure he wanted to know anything more about the Cradle. His growing opinion now was that it was a nightmarish hellscape, and its processor should be glassed from orbit, but that sentiment was not going to make any progress towards his escape. In the fog beyond the border, it was easy to panic. Several around Vreta were doing just that, and he understood why. He nearly fell into that trap himself, but again, it was his training that saved him. He tightened up his expression, closed his eyes for a moment, and took in a breath. The air was thinner here, though it was not all that different from the mountain air back on Rothia. Just breathe in. Breathe out. Focus. Enemies approached, he still had a gun turret in front of him, and he was reasonably sure it still worked. That was what he could control. That was his task. The monsters were not the true enemy here; panic was. Panic was what he had to push from his mind. Opening his eyes, Vreta traversed the turret left. It was more sluggish now, as the powered controls were not working quite correctly, but he had the strength to make up for it. He just focused his eyes on the sights, focused on firing when they lined up with the beasts in pursuit. They were quick and the trucks were moving, but that did not matter. Vreta's steely-eyed visage carried an unusual calm as his only focus went to lining up the sights and firing his weapon.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang "I can see the transit station!" Bishop pointed, other hand guiding the steering wheel. Freyr turned to look and could see he was probably right. Though the Border was mostly opaque from the outside, they could still see out. Around a bend in the road, a mile or two away, was a mess of flood lights, marking their exit clearly on the landscape. "All Dagger teams - auxiliary power is in place, we're ready to receive you." A voice sounded on the comms set. "They should be out here getting u-" Bishop began complaining. "Incoming!" The soldier on the turret shouted. The driver's side door clicked open and two thick tendrils entered the cab. One wrapped around Bishop's neck and the other around one arm. They would've pulled him cleanly out of the truck, were it not for his seatbelt. Bishop's other arm frantically went up to his neck, so Freyr leant over and grabbed the unoccupied steering wheel before they crashed. "Bishop, listen to me. Keep your foot on the accelerator! Take this!" Freyr called over the din, her voice hoarse and croaky. She passed Bishop the pistol, which he used to start shooting the tendrils, his lips pursed and eyes wide. "Fucking die!" She heard someone behind them yelling, as the energy cannon overheated. Keeping her eyes on the road, Freyr gasped and yanked the steering wheel as another of the beetles rocketed in from their left side, taking fire from the first car, and barreled straight into the second truck. It lurched sideways off the road, a huge dent in the side. "Karos!" Freyr shouted as the vehicle caught something on one of the tires and began flipping over and over through the air. Scraps of metal from the crash flew into the windscreen as Freyr somehow managed to maneuver their speeding truck around the pirouetting wreck. They bounced over something substantial along the way, which Freyr presumed must have been the beetle. Still leaning over, Freyr used her free hand to activate the truck's comm unit. "Car in front, help us get this thing off! Please!" She pleaded.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori The chaos around Vreta was only growing worse the longer this chase went on, and the number of survivors was starting to dwindle. A loud crash and the sound of twisting metal accompanied the truck that lost control and was sent flying. However, one observing Vreta would find him seemingly unfazed by it all. His expression remained constant, and his eyes focused. There was just a moment where Vreta spared a thought to a part of the training he had received nearly a century ago. He had never been a soldier, but he had received much of the same training for his role in the Rahn'Masser. One aspect of his training had taken place at a facility high up in some of Rothia's tallest mountains. It was a landscape that was covered in snow year-round, and only even survivable for his cold-blooded body due to a heat-generating implant inside him. The place had seemed much more like a monastery than a boot camp, and the instruction he had received there made him feel more like a monk than a soldier. Yet, they were some of the most important lessons he could learn for his career, far more than any amount of marksmanship or martial arts. Words spoken to him there still echoed in his mind across the centuries. "In our galaxy, we have discovered half a dozen sapient species, with countless millions of stars left to explore. Some, through wisdom or fear, will maintain peace with us. And some, through greed or desperation, will wage war. They expand and multiply, their numbers unchecked, and their ambitions insatiable. We have been forced to war in the past, and it shall happen in the future. They are many, and we are few. If you are called onto the battlefield, you may face legions with no more than the few at your side. Your enemy may call your fight hopeless, but I tell you…hope is a lie. Hope is the idea that the universe may grant you a miracle to save you. But we are Rothian! We are not given miracles, we create them! Your survival will not be allowed by fate nor chance; it will be guaranteed by your own hand. Our enemies may be legion, but we are Rothian. We do not break, we do not rout, and we do not fail. I will teach you how to forge your mind into a weapon greater than any fusion rifle. No matter your enemy, no matter their number, no matter the chaos around you, I can give you one weapon that will not leave you:…" "...Focus." Vreta said under his breath. His lungs breathed deeply of the thin air, and did not struggle for it. One truck had crashed, but he put it out of his mind. It was not important to the task in front of him. His mind grabbed onto only what was important for him, like the pleas for help he could hear over the radio just behind him. He could see the insect latched on to the side of the truck following them, and the radio confirmed they could not deal with it themselves. To kill it was Vreta's task. Both trucks were moving quickly, sometimes weaving left or right unpredictably, and his turret had enough power to deal serious damage to the truck. Potentially, a missed shot could disable its engine and doom its passengers. He could not fire recklessly. Instead, he traversed the turret to be in-line with the beetle, then waited a moment. He focused on the sights and simply allowed the truck to drift to the side until he found the moment where the sights lined up properly, then fired a single shot straight down the top of the beetle's head.</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang The tendrils rapidly loosened from around Bishop's arm and neck, and slithered back out of the driver's side door as the nightmare beetle thudly wetly into the ground. He quickly closed the door, took the wheel back from Freyr and handed her the pistol. "Whoo! Good shooting boys!" He shouted raspily into his comms set. With her hands free, Freyr looked back out of her window. She could just about see the last two beetles racing toward them out of the foggy blackness. "Go go go!" She urged. The Border come to a stop, and was just a few hundred metres away. Just behind the Border veil, Freyr could see the floodlit transit station. "Come on!" Bishop yelled, arms taut around the wheel as he juiced every ounce of power from the accelerator. Their truck whined and grated, sparks began flickering behind some of the control panels. A quick glance in the mirror confirmed that both of the bugs were right behind them. Their outstretched tentacles were reaching for the back of the truck, as energy bolts raked across both of their glassy carapaces. Freyr and Bishop both yelped as they hit a bump, sending the whole vehicle up into the air and careering through the Border at a tilted angle. As soon as they crashed back through the Border and into colonised space, Freyr could see rows of CraSec vehicles parked around the transit station. Dozens of soldiers hiding behind the vehicles instantly opened fire upon seeing the beetles that'd followed them through. Issuing sharp clicks and squeals, the beetles skidded about and quickly disappeared back through the border. Bishop slammed on the brakes, and they slid to a stop right behind the truck with Vreta on the turret. Freyr exhaled deeply, her whole body shaking uncontrollably. "Identify yourselves." A voice demanded over loudspeaker, as a handful of soldiers drifted out from behind cover to surround the trucks. Most had their weapons trained on the clearly visible alien.</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang The tendrils rapidly loosened from around Bishop's arm and neck, and slithered back out of the driver's side door as the nightmare beetle thudly wetly into the ground. He quickly closed the door, took the wheel back from Freyr and handed her the pistol. "Whoo! Good shooting boys!" He shouted raspily into his comms set. With her hands free, Freyr looked back out of her window. She could just about see the last two beetles racing toward them out of the foggy blackness. "Go go go!" She urged. The Border come to a stop, and was just a few hundred metres away. Just behind the Border veil, Freyr could see the floodlit transit station. "Come on!" Bishop yelled, arms taut around the wheel as he juiced every ounce of power from the accelerator. Their truck whined and grated, sparks began flickering behind some of the control panels. A quick glance in the mirror confirmed that both of the bugs were right behind them. Their outstretched tentacles were reaching for the back of the truck, as energy bolts raked across both of their glassy carapaces. Freyr and Bishop both yelped as they hit a bump, sending the whole vehicle up into the air and careering through the Border at a tilted angle. As soon as they crashed back through the Border and into colonised space, Freyr could see rows of CraSec vehicles parked around the transit station. Dozens of soldiers hiding behind the vehicles instantly opened fire upon seeing the beetles that'd followed them through. Issuing sharp clicks and squeals, the beetles skidded about and quickly disappeared back through the border. Bishop slammed on the brakes, and they slid to a stop right behind the truck with Vreta on the turret. Freyr exhaled deeply, her whole body shaking uncontrollably. "Identify yourselves." A voice demanded over loudspeaker, as a handful of soldiers drifted out from behind cover to surround the trucks. Most had their weapons trained on the clearly visible alien.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Once again returning from beyond the border was certainly a relief, though it did not prevent Vreta from remaining on-alert. If he had learned anything over the past half-hour, it was that this place was never safe. His state of intense focus persisted for only a short time, until he was questioned by the soldiers. "Vreta'Sori." He answered quickly and directly, not that his name would have much meaning to them. Vreta climbed off of the turret and into the back of the truck. He gave a look around at the soldiers crowded around in their seats. Some had escaped mostly unscathed, but there were others that looked rather badly wounded. The soldiers in his truck had been in a position to witness the help he had been giving them, and many he had personally pulled into the safety of the vehicle. They could be useful to him, he felt. He just needed to approach them with the right attitude. "Can one of you take over talking to those soldiers? We need to get your wounded out of here quickly if they are to survive this." Vreta remarked before climbing down the side of the truck, then held his arms up to take the first of the wounded. "Help me unload the injured. We need to hurry."</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr gently patted Bishop's shoulder. He was just sitting back in his seat, eyes staring straight ahead. "Well done, Mr Bishop. Thank you." She murmured. "You're uh...you're welcome." He replied weakly. Leaving the pistol on the dashboard, Freyr opened her door and jumped out; her legs were so wobbly she nearly fell. She put her hands up and walked slowly forward. Several soldiers and a medic rushed to greet her. One shone a scanner beam in her eyes and another handed her an oxygen mask which she gladly took a few breaths from. "You're clear. Name?" One asked. "Dr Freyr Lang. We have wounded in the back." Freyr said, teeth gritting when the pain from her seared arm returned. "Can i have a burn pack please?" The medic pulled one from her bag and chucked it to Freyr before rushing around to the back of the truck. Freyr pulled the remains of her jumpsuit sleeve back to reveal charred, red pink flesh. She activated the burn pack and wrapped it quickly around her entire forearm, crying out from the pain. It quickly subsided though, as topical anesthetics in the wrap numbed everything down underneath. She staggered over to the truck in front. Vreta had just jumped to the ground and was waiting to receive the wounded. "Vreta, right? Can we talk?" Freyr asked, stopping alongside the tall alien. "You can both talk to me." A deep, gruff voice called from behind them. Freyr turned, and found a severe-looking grey haired man in a smart black uniform standing before them. His hands were clasped behind his back, and he cooly regarded them with augmented eyes that glowed with three light blue points. "Our medics will see to the wounded, thank you Vreta'Sori." He smiled, as three of them jogged round the sides of the truck and began pulling the wounded down around them. "Please, come." He urged, gesturing for them to follow him toward the transit station. Freyr glanced at Vreta. She'd wanted to talk to him about what had happened in that warehouse. The creature with David's face had been talking to the alien, and Freyr was sure it meant something. But something about this man in the black uniform made her think they didn't have a choice. Hesitantly, she fell in behind the man as he walked toward the rows of nervous CraSec troops, still scanning the Border as it loomed over them. "Was that Major Osman I saw, slumped over in that truck?" The man immediately asked, turning and looking at Vreta while still walking.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta did not care as much about helping the wounded as much as giving the appearance that he wanted to help, so he complied quickly with the man's request. The Human was not in combat gear, but he was clearly associated with the soldiers regardless. He gave the impression of being someone with some authority among the Humans, so Vreta decided it best not to snub his requests for now. They were heading towards a transit station, which was a direction of which he definitely approved. Looking down at the man, Vreta tilted his head. "Are you referring to that soldier woman?" He asked, pointing a thumb back towards the truck. "A large creature, one much tougher than the beetles your men saw off, injured her. Crushed its weight against her chest. The beast took well over a dozen rounds, was lit on fire, and still could not be stopped. One of your soldiers eventually sacrificed himself to hit it with an explosive charge, but…I do not know if it died." Pausing a moment, Vreta gestured to Freyr. "Myself and Freyr, we did manage to get her out and to the truck. Last I checked she was still alive, though that was before we left. If she is still alive, she needs to be brought back to her body in the real world. In fact, based on what I saw, I would recommend you evacuate everyone from this place. Failing that, at least reinforce your soldiers with the heaviest weapons you can possibly give them. If those monsters attack again, well…even that may not be enough." He warned.</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang "I see." The man nodded thoughtfully at Vreta's description of the attack. "Is this true?" His eyes drilled into Freyr. She nodded shakily. "Yeah, pretty much. I'm sorry...who did you say you were again?" The man smiled. "I wouldn't worry about that right now, Dr Lang. The main thing is that i'm here to help - both of you." He looked at Vreta again. "I also wouldn't worry about this place. It will be a fortress by dawn tomorrow. We have our best terraformers on it." The man gestured for both of them to walk through the glass doors into the transit station as they slid open. "Please, after you." The large, bright, sparsely furnished room Freyr had arrived in only an hour or two ago had been totally transformed. An entire command centre of holo-consoles and other equipment was being set up around the outside, leaving an open space in the middle for people to spawn in and out. Freyr could see a wide variety of people milling around. There were engineers and technicians in white jumpsuits, connecting up even more gear. There were at least half a dozen terraformers in whatever clothes they'd decided to program in. Freyr also spotted a few other people in the same black uniform as the man with the augmented eyes, who had now followed them through the double doors. These black-clad people all turned to stare directly at them, making Freyr feel incredibly vulnerable. "Please, take a seat." The man with the augmented eyes urged, walking past them to sit at an ornate wooden desk. There were two chairs facing him on the other side. After a split second, the man exclaimed. "Ah, of course, the chair!" He loudly snapped his fingers and a nearby terraformer turned around. The man gestured to Vreta, and after sizing him up for a moment, the terraformer hit a few options on her holo-interface. One of the chairs seemed to disassemble and reassemble in a flurry of half-digital moving parts. When everything settled, Freyr could see a large stool, presumably suitable for tailed reptilians. "Please." The man smiled, gesturing to the seats again. Freyr sat down, growing slightly uneasy. "Now - this creature you speak of. Is it the same creature as the ones who abducted those Skinners?" "Yeah." Freyr nodded, slightly thrown off by the fact that this man knew about the abductions. "It came back? Why?" "I uh, I don't know." Freyr turned to look at Vreta. "You said that it was doing something with a device when you found it. What kind of device?" The man looked at Vreta as Freyr spoke, his facial expression completely unfathomable.</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang "I see." The man nodded thoughtfully at Vreta's description of the attack. "Is this true?" His eyes drilled into Freyr. She nodded shakily. "Yeah, pretty much. I'm sorry...who did you say you were again?" The man smiled. "I wouldn't worry about that right now, Dr Lang. The main thing is that i'm here to help - both of you." He looked at Vreta again. "I also wouldn't worry about this place. It will be a fortress by dawn tomorrow. We have our best terraformers on it." The man gestured for both of them to walk through the glass doors into the transit station as they slid open. "Please, after you." The large, bright, sparsely furnished room Freyr had arrived in only an hour or two ago had been totally transformed. An entire command centre of holo-consoles and other equipment was being set up around the outside, leaving an open space in the middle for people to spawn in and out. Freyr could see a wide variety of people milling around. There were engineers and technicians in white jumpsuits, connecting up even more gear. There were at least half a dozen terraformers in whatever clothes they'd decided to program in. Freyr also spotted a few other people in the same black uniform as the man with the augmented eyes, who had now followed them through the double doors. These black-clad people all turned to stare directly at them, making Freyr feel incredibly vulnerable. "Please, take a seat." The man with the augmented eyes urged, walking past them to sit at an ornate wooden desk. There were two chairs facing him on the other side. After a split second, the man exclaimed. "Ah, of course, the chair!" He loudly snapped his fingers and a nearby terraformer turned around. The man gestured to Vreta, and after sizing him up for a moment, the terraformer hit a few options on her holo-interface. One of the chairs seemed to disassemble and reassemble in a flurry of half-digital moving parts. When everything settled, Freyr could see a large stool, presumably suitable for tailed reptilians. "Please." The man smiled, gesturing to the seats again. Freyr sat down, growing slightly uneasy. "Now - this creature you speak of. Is it the same creature as the ones who abducted those Skinners?" "Yeah." Freyr nodded, slightly thrown off by the fact that this man knew about the abductions. "It came back? Why?" "I uh, I don't know." Freyr turned to look at Vreta. "You said that it was doing something with a device when you found it. What kind of device?" The man looked at Vreta as Freyr spoke, his facial expression completely unfathomable.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori "You can fortify all you want, but don't underestimate these things. I don't know what these things are, exactly, but if they're from the Cradle, then you're fighting on their territory, not yours. You didn't create this place." Vreta warned. In any case, Vreta followed the man into the transit station. Although, he could not help but to be disappointed that they did not return from the Cradle right away. He had a multitude of reasons for wanting to be rid of this place. He did take a seat on the stool provided for him on the man's insistence, but Vreta's general discomfort started to become more and more visibly apparent the longer the man spoke. Vreta was making a few mental notes on the topic Freyr discussed with the man. While he had guessed this already, their conversation did confirm that the creatures were related to the disturbance at the office building. In his research since he arrived on Outremer, Vreta had heard of the Skinners. Their goals and methods earned them the label of terrorists, though with what Vreta had seen of the Cradle, he personally felt they might have the right of it. Regardless, he did not bring it up. When Vreta was finally questioned directly, he decided to give a show of cooperation with an honest answer. "I can't be completely sure. When I investigated the shed, I only got a look inside for a few seconds before that thing knocked out the power. Just by its appearance, it might have been some kind of communications equipment." Vreta revealed yet more of his discomfort when his grimace showed his bloodstained teeth. Glancing to the side, he put more pressure on his injured arm. "Look, I'm willing to talk about this with you, but I'd really rather not do this in the Cradle. That creature knocked out a few of my teeth, by arm burns like the ninth ring, and frankly, the blood loss is distracting. More importantly, I'm not completely convinced that border isn't going to come crashing down on us again at any moment. Did those creatures really retreat, or are they just gathering their forces? I promise my cooperation for every one of your questions if we return to the real world. Like I said, my name is Vreta'Sori, representative of the Zuraxi'Synkuur corporation. I'm staying on the twenty-first floor of the Synastar Hotel. You look like a man with the authority to run my identity, so I'm sure you can get confirmation this is all true. Someone as high-profile as me, you know I can't just escape unnoticed. I'll go back to my hotel room and wait for you there; you have my word."</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang The fact that the creature may have been interfacing with exo-Cradle comms equipment rang alarm bells in Freyr's head. What could it have been doing? However, she held her tongue at this moment. It was abundantly clear that the alien was in a lot of pain, and didn't want to stick around to talk here. She couldn't blame him; the events of the last hour would almost certainly haunt her forever. However, she could find some kernels of hope among this sea of despair - she was reasonably sure her family were still alive somewhere. She was also confident she'd gathered more useful data today than in the previous ten years of work. She just needed to go home and assimilate all the information for it to be any use. She knew where Vreta was staying - she resolved to talk with him privately about the specifics if she could. The man with augmented eyes nodded considerately at Vreta's story. "I understand completely, we'll get you back to the real world in just a moment - we know where both of you are. I just have one more question for you, Vreta'Sori. Why is it that you were in an evacuated crime scene today?" While this was happening, Freyr could hear a slight commotion behind them. She turned to see the wounded from their trucks being stretchered inside. At the same time, the room hummed slightly, and looking over her other shoulder she caught a squadron of heavily armoured CraSec soldiers being spawned in. They lined up to grab weapons from an armaments locker before heading to the doors. There was a lot going on, and the questioning was getting a bit above her paygrade, so Freyr was longing to just get out of here.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori The Human's thinly-veiled accusation was apparent, but this was a game to which Vreta was no stranger. He did not give any hint to his thoughts in his reaction, letting out only something of an amused hum. "Well, the simple answer is that I wasn't." Vreta replied. Vreta paused just a moment, letting out a grunt as he shifted his injured arm into a more comfortable position. "Like I said, I'm a representative of the Zuraxi'Synkuur corporation. I am not at liberty to discuss all of the details of our transactions, but suffice to say that we have extensive dealings with the corporation that holds this district. A part of our agreements stipulate that I am permitted to inspect their testing and production facilities to ensure they meet our agreed-upon standards. That was why I came here today. I got wind of a disturbance in one of our partners' holdings, so I wanted to ensure they were not at fault for whatever was happening. Negligence on their part could affect our contracts with them. This district was not locked down, either by its owner or the Outremer government, and I had full permission to be here. I respected all boundaries set by your men at the crime scene and did not trespass. The shed I investigated was outside the perimeter set by your soldiers. Whether or not they should have restricted access to that building is between you and your officers, but I broke no laws in entering. I can provide you copies of all of the necessary legal documents, once we are out of the Cradle."</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang The man nodded, stretching his face into a taut smile. His eyes remained fixed on the alien. After a pregnant pause, he replied "Great, well, I think I have everything I need for today. We'll take it from here. Thank you both - I'm terribly sorry this happened to you. Dr Lang, I know this must weigh particularly heavy on you." The man's stare began unlocking all the horrors of the day, and Freyr felt her own eyes welling up with tears. "A liaison will be with you both tomorrow. Freyr, I took the liberty of signing off some military-grade PTSD meds for you; they should be arriving at your apartment soon. Get a good night's rest, and we'll be in touch." He nodded, to signal that he'd finished talking. Freyr got up shakily, desperate to get away from all these people. She turned to Vreta and mumbled something which may have sounded like 'thank you for saving me' before rushing to the centre of the room and logging out of the Cradle.</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang After a cacophonous couple of hours, the silence from Freyr's apartment closed in like water, miles under the ocean. She gasped for breath and jumped from the sofa. Seeing Karos Childermass sitting motionless in the armchair, Freyr pivoted and stumbled to her kitchen area. Grabbing up the same cup she'd dropped upon learning he was visiting, Freyr once again filled it with water. She managed one trembling sip before her feelings overwhelmed her. She howled ugly sounds and cried into her cup, stooped over the kitchen worktop by her sink. Eventually, she slid down the side of the kitchen units to sit on the warm wooden floor, her face in her hands. After a couple of minutes, Demeter came online. "Welcome back, Dr Lang. I've detected that your guest, Dr Childermass, has suffered catastrophic brain trauma consistent with 'Cradle Death', and is now in a comatose state. I will inform the relevant medical autho-...manual override initiated." Freyr looked up, confused and teary, as everything powered down in her apartment. After nearly a minute, the lights blinked back on and Demeter returned. "Good afternoon, Dr Lang. There is a visitor for you approaching your front door. Would you like me to let them in?" "What? No. Who are they?" Freyr demanded, wiping tears from her eyes and getting up off the floor. "They are here to extract the body of Dr Childermass and update your medications." Demeter replied blankly. Freyr moved quickly into the hallway and grabbed her pistol out of its holster on a coat hook. Creeping to the door's peephole, she saw a woman with short blond hair and the same black uniform as the man with augmented eyes. "Good afternoon, Dr Lang. Please open the door, i know you're here." She looked right in the peephole. Realising she had basically no choice, Freyr opened the door a crack and stared defiantly out at her, hand tightening around her pistol which she kept out of sight. The woman smiled encouragingly. "Hi. I'm sorry about your colleague. I'm here to take him to cold storage and give you these." She held up a canister of small pills. "They'll help you process your feelings and keep a more level head. If that's what you want." Any fight that Freyr might have had seeped from her body. She opened her door fully and let the woman file into her apartment. She wasted no time, putting the pills down on the kitchen counter before walking over to Karos. Freyr followed her, finally summoning up the courage to kneel beside her boss' inert body. She hated the way they'd left things, and wished she could turn back time. Karos had pulled a really manipulative move on her, getting her into the Cradle to confirm David's likeness. But that didn't cancel out ten years of mentorship and good memories. Freyr understood now just how desperate he was. She was also getting an idea of how much was at stake here. Through gritted teeth, she resolved to not let his death be in vain. She gripped his hand and gave it one last squeeze. The woman attached a small module to the underside of Karos' right shoe, which quickly unfurled into a strong plastic covering that tightly enveloped his whole body. She also unfolded a hovering stretcher, just like the one Freyr had pushed Major Osman along in barely an hour before. The module on Karos' shoe lifted his whole body, wrapped in plastic, up into the air and gently laid it down on the stretcher. It then began maneuvering slowly out of the flat - the woman followed alongside it. At the door, she stopped and turned to Freyr. "Again, i'm really sorry for everything you've been through. Please try to get some rest and drink some fluids. We'll be in touch tomorrow morning." She touched Freyr's arm supportively, which she flinched away from. The woman and her stretcher then left her apartment, with Demeter closing the door behind them. Freyr stood staring at the door for a long time after they'd gone.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori With his message sent, Vreta could finally start trying to put the day's events behind him. Through experience and a cool head, he had gotten out alive, and if he could help it, he was going to try to avoid entering the hellscape that was the Cradle again. What he had witnessed only cemented his views on Humanity's exploitation of the Cradle. It was technology they did not understand, and they were foolish for intertwining it so deeply into their society. They were so desperate to try and push their technology forward that Outremer was now dependant on what could essentially be a time bomb. The creatures could not have come from anywhere but the Cradle itself, and no one, not even the Rothians, knew the true purpose of the Cradle. Now that he was out of danger, Vreta did have the opportunity to think in more depth about what he had witnessed. He wished he could have had access to his implants through it all, for a multitude of reasons, but mostly for the purpose of recordkeeping. With his implants, he could have recorded everything he saw so he could go back and view it again to catch anything he missed. Regardless, his neural implants now, at the very least, could save his memories as they were so they did not degrade any farther. Once again, Vreta found himself laying back on his couch, his feet hanging partially off the side. Normally after such physical exertion, he would have worked up an appetite, but he supposed none of that exercise was truly real. So, instead of a second dinner, he thought back on the details of his experience. Of particular interest to Vreta was his brief conversation with one of the creatures. The way he saw it, there were two likely possibilities for what they were: Human minds that had been corrupted in some way, or independent intelligences that came from within the Cradle. Or some combination of the two. The most striking evidence of the former was that the creature had used a face that the Human, Freyr, had recognized. Vreta distinctly remembered the creature claiming "They are mine" when she asked about her husband. However, Vreta also remembered a part of the conversation that would have been strange for just corrupted Humans. When it was just him and the creature, it spoke of recognizing Vreta. It would not make much sense for it to be speaking of him as an individual, since he hardly knew any Humans on this planet personally, so all that was left was for it to be speaking of him as a Rothian. The phrasing was strange, too. It spoke of him "crawling from the ocean to the rocks", as he remembered it. The Cradle was a truly ancient supercomputer, and those words made it sound like its creators had watched the Rothian species itself evolve. Though, he did not want to make such rash assumptions just yet. There were other ways he could interpret the encounter. Perhaps this was some combination of an independent intelligence within the Cradle, and corrupted Human minds? Perhaps it had gone insane as a result?</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Eventually, Freyr put her pistol back in it's holster and manually bolted the door. She wandered back into the living area, her eyes transfixed on the now empty armchair. Her breaths arrived in ragged gulps, and she realised her heart was racing. She shakily picked up the canister of pills and examined the prescription label. It had her name, address and dose instructions all printed out. Take one daily, with food. She opened the lid and shook a pill out. Water wasn't going to cut it, Freyr decided, so she pulled a bottle of dark red wine from the rack, poured a large glass and took the pill with a big slug of that. She had no idea if the medication was really as they'd described, but at this point she didn't care. Taking a few more sips from her wine, Freyr sat down on her sofa and wondered what to do. Sleep seemed impossible at the moment. As horrific as today had been, she felt an undercurrent of inspiration struggling to break free. She'd had the first piece of evidence that her family may be alive. The creature had practically said so. She just needed to piece together all the information she had, and carry on building up a picture. Her thoughts drifted back to Vreta, the alien she'd found talking to that thing with David's face. Why had he been there at exactly that time? Had he been looking for something too? The alien had obviously witnessed something, something Freyr needed to know. With night falling on Babylon and rain still pattering against her tall windows, Freyr activated her comms implant while absently sketching the legs and body of the ant creature and sipping her wine. Now, what was the name of the hotel Vreta had said he was staying at. Syna something? She began trying combinations and quickly found it. She put in a call request with the hotel AI who forwarded it to Vreta's room. She grew nervous as she waited for him to pick up, not quite sure what to expect. When he finally did, she began talking quickly. "Hi, Mr Sori? It's Freyr Lang here. Sorry to disturb you, but i can't stop thinking about that moment back in the warehouse. Can we talk? As you may have realised, the reason I barged in like that was because it...it looked like my husband. He was abducted along with my daughter a few months ago and I've been searching for them. I'm not really sure what I'm looking for, but I believe any information you have about the creature could be useful. I'm a xeno-biologist, you see… I realise i'm gabbling now, but could we please just start from the top?"</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta paused just a moment in consideration of Freyr's suggestion. His ideal situation would be to hold the meeting in his apartment, as he had already made certain that he could keep anything that happened within its walls away from prying eyes. However, he doubted that would be an option in this case. Still, it was no disaster. With the right applications of the tools at his disposal, he could control recordings of him in public spaces almost as well. The program that ran his neural implants was essentially an AI by Human standards, albeit a specialized one. With his thoughts directing it, he could tailor custom malware to invade Human networks and manipulate them in real-time. His power over them was not limitless, but he was confident in the sophistication of his programs. "I…can't say I know what Goi Cuon is, but I'm willing to try it." Vreta answered, matching her somewhat more positive tone. "I do want to talk about this as well. Maybe together we can make some sense of the insanity that has been this evening. Just give me an address, and I will make my way there as soon as I can." --- Vreta had not required much in the way of preparation. For him, the vast majority of what he needed to do his job could be found under his scales. Even if he carried nothing with him, he was, with the notable exception of the Cradle, always prepared. Traversing the city was much slower than back home, but he had been in the city for long enough to have grown accustomed to it. When he finally did arrive at Boycott Park, there was a moment where Vreta lost focus on the task ahead of him. The food market itself was, from his perspective, a rather unique sight. It was in the center of a fairly large park, wide and open, with plenty of natural flora. It felt separate from the rest of the city, and the market even moreso. It had a myriad of small, privately-owned stalls all packed closely together. It was a place he would describe as vibrant and lively. Even as the sun was beginning to set over the horizon, the crowds did not seem to diminish. Many of the pathways were lit by paper candles hanging on strings crossing over them. The general glow of the city surrounding them likely would have been enough to illuminate the area, in any case, but they did add to the visual appeal. It was places like this that Vreta enjoyed to visit, and it was one of the advantages of working outside of Rothian territory. By the way the crowds acted, he could tell it was not just a novelty to them. It was…genuine, not a tourist attraction. For a moment, Vreta was tempted to follow his nose to the most interesting of the scents that filled the air, but he could not be shaken from his purpose for long. He had a task ahead of him. He went ahead and planted his program in the city's public network by hiding it in a simple request for a map of the local area. From there, it could start its work on breaking through security protections. With that situated, he sent a quick message to Freyr to inform her that he had arrived. Somehow, he doubted he would be hard to find in the crowd.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang After giving Vreta the name of the park and it's nearest transport links, Freyr went to the hall and put on a warm, waterproof coat. She eyed the pistol hanging up on it's hook for a couple of seconds before electing to leave it. She didn't want to be that person who was packing heat the whole time. The street food market was only a few hundred metres from the door of her building, and it was well lit the whole way. Crime was very low in this part of Babylon, but something about this meeting was still making her uneasy. Freyr was blown away by how effectively the pill she'd just taken was working; she wasn't a ball of tangled emotions anymore. Her fear and grief and anger were still there, but they were cold, manageable objects that she could store at the back of her mind. So that's what she did, at least while she could. Freyr left her apartment and went down a lift to the tastefully appointed lobby. "Going somewhere nice, Dr Lang?" Demeter politely asked, inhabiting the concierge droid by the front doors. "Just to the street food market, Dem." Freyr smiled. "Won't be long." The droid bowed slightly, and threw a small orb gentle into the air. It quickly expanded into a thin, wide covering that moved to hover above Freyr's head. "For the rain, ma'am. Enjoy your walk." The AI purred. Freyr got a notification from Vreta, informing her of his arrival, so she just nodded and moved past the droid. She pulled her coat together and stepped out into the rain, the majority of it being deflected by her covering. She crossed the road and entered the familiar lantern-illuminated path to the centre of Boycott Park, where the street food market hid behind an arrangement of manicured bushes. The panoply of delicious smells greeted Freyr as she walked through a leafy archway into the wide cobbled square. One of the store vendors recognised her and called a friendly greeting. She smiled clumsily, aware they were probably curious why she hadn't shown up for so long when this place was previously a nightly excursion. She'd stopped coming when David & Amy were taken; she couldn't face all of the memories of them. Freyr found Vreta standing awkwardly among all the hungry people moving between stalls; she noticed some were giving him funny looks and a wide berth. She approached the tall alien. "Hey. Thanks for coming." She smiled, trying to be friendly. "Are you hungry? That neo-Viet stall I love is over there." She pointed to a colourful wooden stand with a laughing couple chopping vegetables and meat into large pans together.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta's eyes scanned the crowd to search for Freyr. It was something of a difficult task for him to spot her out among all of the other Humans, especially since he did not have an image of her on record as he usually would have for Humans he wanted to remember. His Rothian mind was not designed to pick up on Human facial features, so having images for reference could help him interact more naturally with them in social situations. The rain also presented a problem in that most of the crowd were walking around with coverings over their heads to keep them dry. Rain did not bother Vreta nearly as much as it seemed to affect Humans. His scaly skin was waterproof, so the rain slid off of him easily. Fortunately, it was far easier for Freyr to pick Vreta out of a crowd, so it did not take long for her to approach him and grab his attention. By that point, his program had embedded itself firmly in various corner's of the district's public network. In many ways, it was like a living thing in itself, maneuvering its way through the city's software unseen and hiding in the shadows of other programs from the automated intrusion detection system. The Cradle itself might have been peer to Rothian technology, but his program was still hundreds of years more advance than anything Human-made that might try to root it out. With the access he now had, Vreta did not yet do anything disruptive. He simply had his program identify any camera or other sensor that could see or hear himself or Freyr so that he could make changes to what they observed if he deemed it necessary. For the moment, however, Vreta did not require any secrecy. He matched her friendly approach with just as friendly of a greeting. "Hello. It is no trouble to be here. I think this is something we can both benefit from talking about." He remarked as he started to look around the market, particularly at the stall Freyr pointed out. He did not want to rush straight into business, as some more casual conversation could be useful to obscure what they were discussing. "I shall be honest, I do not know what that is, but I am eager to try it. Coming to places like this, it is one of the things I enjoy about working in foreign space. Stepping into this market is like stepping back in time. I'm sure I could find something like it somewhere in Rothian space, but that would be no more than a novelty. This is just…a part of your city. There are many of my kind that find it dangerous just to leave Rothian worlds, but I do think it worth a little risk to really experience the galaxy. I learned as much as I could about your people's cultures before I came here, but it is quite different to experience it in person."</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr couldn't help but smile as she heard the Rothian (she finally placed the species name) speak. "Well, i'm glad i could add to your time here!" She grinned as they walked to the stall. The owners recognised Freyr immediately, and greeted her fondly, but cast a wary eye over her alien companion. Freyr returned the greeting in their own language, the words and their pronunciation being fed into her mind via her comms implant. She then slowly introduced Vreta'Sori to them, before moving on to order two portions of Gỏi cuốn. They arrived quickly - three semi-transparent rolls each, sat on giant lettuce leaves in a takeaway box. The stallholders didn't seem keen on handing the second box to the giant lizard, so Freyr quickly took it from them and handed it to Vreta. With their food now served, Freyr guided them through the crowd to a cluster of long wooden benches which they could sit on and eat. Freyr mopped up some of the rainwater stuck on the bench with her napkins before settling down. "So, Rothian huh? I remember studying you guys in university. How does eternal life treat you? I think I'd go mad after a while." Freyr realised that was slightly morbid but couldn't row back now, so she leant into it. "I guess there are ways of 'mixing things up', in a manner of speaking?" She wrapped the first of her rolls in a lettuce leaf, dipped it into the little pot of sweet sauce provided and took a bite, savouring the delicious mix of flavours.</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Chapter 2 - Perfidious Dark She was back in the Cradle. Everything around her was wrapped in night, a perfidious dark, crisscrossed with purple skeins on the walls, ceiling and floor. She looked down at her hands; they were covered in black, bristling algae. It crept up her body, toothy shoots wrapping around her neck. She opened her mouth to scream, and algae sprouted from in there too, curling around her lips and blocking her nose. "Mummy?" A small, thin voice called from the dark. She looked up, unable to breathe but still searching for her daughter. The algae crawled past her eyelids and wriggled under her eyes. She couldn't blink. "Freyr, where are you?" A man's voice called, far away. She called back with every fibre of her being, but could only manage a muffled hum, deep within her throat. Something in the darkness chuckled. A pale human face, one she remembered, but with black eyes and a gaping black hole for a mouth, appeared from the dark in front of her. "I can seeeee youuuu." It sang, it's voice wet and somehow dead. She screamed anew. The face flew toward her, on the end of a giant insect creature. It's mouth grew wider and long, sharp teeth appeared that filled her vision as the algae covered her eyes- Freyr thrashed around, screaming into her pillow until she was finally awake and her covers lay on the floor. She heard clattering and looked around just as Masgard, the lawyer from yesterday, and four guards with guns burst into her bedroom. "Dr Lang!" Masgard shouted, then he surveyed the look on Freyr's face and the abandoned covers and realised what had happened. "Bad dream?" He asked. Freyr nodded, grabbing the covers back up to drape them over herself. "Clear." Officers began calling from all corners of the apartment, including in the bedroom. "Ok, everyone out please! I need to talk to my client. I'll let you get dressed, Dr Lang. Sorry for the disturbance; we thought someone was trying to kill you." Masgard grinned sheepishly. Once everyone had left her bedroom, Freyr quickly changed from her night clothes into some sturdy, comfortable trousers, her work boots & gloves, and a black tank top. She rejoined the living room, where Masgard was waiting with two takeaway cups and a large paper bag. "I brought some pastries and something hot to drink." Freyr was actually starving after only eating a small part of her dinner, so thanked him and tucked in. "So, i have news from the Cradle." Masgard began after they'd each eaten a pastry. He sat across the breakfast bar from her, his hands clasped around his cup of tea. Freyr looked up. "What's that?" She said after politely swallowing what was in her mouth at the time. "This is classified top secret. You Know Who-..." Masgard tapped just below his right eye, taking Freyr instantly back to the mysterious man with the augmented eyes. "...-wanted to bring you back into the Cradle personally to hear this, but i persuaded him you needed a little time away from that place." Freyr smiled gratefully. "Thank you, i appreciate that. After last night i…definitely need some time to decompress." She grabbed the canister of pills that were still sitting on the counter, and took one with her tea. "So..." Masgard leaned forward, drawing Freyr in with him. "They sent a team back beyond the Border last night, to investigate the equipment that abomination with the human face was playing with. They found some advanced Rothian-tech communications array, with an activity log. It seems the creature used a testing backdoor to commandeer several comms arrays here, in real-world Babylon. It sent several encrypted bursts to coordinates on the surface of Rothia, the Rothians' homeworld." Freyr couldn't believe what she was hearing. "Are you telling me that thing was trying to talk to someone, light years away?" Masgard shrugged. "I'm not an expert, but those are the facts so far, yes." Freyr took a big sip of her tea, deep in thought.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Depite having been up late into the night, Vreta still had no choice but to start his morning early. The events of the previous day had generated enough paperwork and meetings to fill most of his morning. Though, the night had, at the very least, dealt with his wounds. The holes that had been melted through his flesh were nowhere to be seen once he removed his bandages. The new scales that had grown over them were immaculate, with not so much as a scar to remind him of his ordeal. As well, his implants' readout of his current vitals showed no remains of his internal injuries. The nanites that had flooded his body had worked quickly to mend him. Once their task was complete, the majority of his nanites returned to a dormant state, while the excess he had been injected with had recycled themselves into raw materials. On the insistence of the local police, Vreta gave his statement just after having a rather sizable breakfast. Fortunately, the police were willing to come to the embassy to speak with him, else there would have been more delays with arranging an escort for him. When speaking with the Humans about the attack, Vreta kept his responses straightforward and fact-oriented. He provided them with a copy of his recording of the attack, and for any questions he answered, he tended to just explain what happened in that recording. Altogether, he made sure that any word he gave on record to the Outremer government could not be disputed for its accuracy. It was not until Vreta was able to get a secure, superluminal comms line back to his superiors on Rothia that he started to give his own judgment on the events of the previous day, both in the Cradle and out. In his opinion, there were opportunities now that the Rothians could not afford to waste if they wanted to uncover the mysteries of the Humans' prized Cradle. In Vreta's opinion, the attacks by the creatures in the Cradle showed that Outremer's government did not have as firm of control over the Cradle as they would like their people to believe. He could not know if this was a new development, or if attacks like this had occurred in the past and subsequently been swept under the rug. However, the fact that so much of Outremer's administration and organization was tied to the Cradle made them especially vulnerable to any problems with it. The fact that Vreta had seen this might have been a motivation for the attack in the park. Most certainly, Vreta did not believe it was Skinners that were responsible for the attempt on his life. Vreta had seen firsthand that the Cradle was fighting back against the Humans. That was a vulnerability that the Rothians could leverage, so the attack could have been motivated by a desire to prevent Vreta from sharing what he had learned. The fact that he had survived, though, made matters all that much worse for the Humans. Unless their government was willing to throw their agent to the wolves and brand her a terrorist, they had compelling evidence that there was a government-sponsored attempt on a Rothian citizen's life. That alone could be a justification for war, but even if his people did not want to resort to violence, it could also motivate damaging sanctions to the Outremer economy. What Vreta had not expected was that the Humans themselves would be the one to call a meeting. Rothian diplomats had already been preparing to demand a meeting with Human officials to discuss the previous day's events, but before that demand could be made, they were sent a request for a meeting with the apparent purpose of discussing the Cradle. It was not a move that Vreta would have expected, given their previous patterns of behavior, which made him wonder if there was something more he did not know? In any case, due to his personal experience with the attacks in the Cradle, the Rothian representatives had requested his presence at the meeting. Whatever the Humans' motivations, Vreta would be able to see them in person.</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr thought back to her discussion with the Rothian, Vreta, idly massaging her arm. He'd said the creature with David's face had talked about 'finding toys' just after using that communications array. With this new information, she concluded it was highly likely 'toys' was a way for an immature construct to assign value to something it didn't have Human words for yet. The question was, who's vocabulary did it pluck this word from? Freyr couldn't help but think it was her daughter, Amy's, lexicon. The evidence so far pointed to them being alive in some form in the Cradle. She just had to find them. "In fact, there's a meeting this morning with the Rothians. We're going to look for permission to open an investigation on the coordinates we pulled from the arrays. Blue Eye Guy has requested your attendance, as the Cradle Research Division's new head." Freyr sharply looked up from staring into her tea. "That's Karos' job." She snapped. Masgard regarded her sympathetically for a moment. "Dr Lang, Dr Childermass died in the Cradle... I'm told you were very close...I'm sorry." The medication hadn't kicked in yet, and Freyr could feel anger and grief bubbling up to the surface. She felt her grip tighten on her drink. "He's been gone less than a day, and already they've made me head of department?" Masgard nodded. "The guy moves quickly, I must admit. He said it'd be good for you to link up with your team to-" Freyr crushed her takeaway cup between her fingers, sloshing hot tea all over the breakfast bar. "THEY'RE ALL FUCKING DEAD! And now you look at me like I know how to fix this!" She exploded, standing up and glaring at Masgard with tears suddenly streaming down her face. The lawyer awkwardly grabbed up his cup and the bag of pastries to prevent them from getting wet. Freyr hissed as the pain from her burned hand kicked in. She rushed to the sink and held it under cold water. The sensation triggered memories of the energy burn she'd sustained to the same arm in the Cradle. "Freyr…" Masgard soothed, coming around to the sink. "I've read your file. You are the brightest mind in your field. No one else has your combination of specialised education, knowledge of the Cradle, and first-hand experience of what it's capable of now. If anyone can figure out how to fix this, it's you!" Freyr pushed past him, heading into the bedroom and slamming the door. Masgard stood outside, trying to listen to what was going on inside. "With the amount of infrastructure that relies on the Cradle, i don't need to tell you what is at stake if it gets any worse." Eventually, Freyr emerged from her bedroom, jumper on. "Come on. Let's go to the meeting." She sighed, motioning with her head to the door, hands in pockets. Masgard grinned. "Now that is the spirit!"</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Ambassador Taranik, Counselor Joll, and Vreta were all unfazed by the Director General's accusations, owing to their experience. Only the attaché, Mras, showed any discernible reaction, though he was not privy to the full truth as the other Rothians were. The Ambassador waited patiently for the Human to complete his statement in full, conferring just briefly with her associates beside her before giving their response. "Director General, it is my understanding that Vreta'Sori gave a full statement that explained his presence in the Cradle to you personally. As such, I would expect that you would have been able to confirm his story with both the Rothian and Human corporations involved. I have already been able to do so, without issue. I would expect that you currently know that he was being truthful regarding his association with the corporation that owned the warehouse in question. If you have any evidence of an ulterior motive for Vreta'Sori's presence in the Cradle during the event, then you may present it. Otherwise, I will have to insist that you make no further attempts to derail this discussion with baseless accusations." The Ambassador replied calmly, but firmly. Once she got her necessary response to the rather serious accusation of espionage out of the way, Taranik moved on to the more impactful parts of the discussion. "But yes, the reason we are here for this meeting is because we still believe in the idea of cooperation between our people, despite the evidence of an attack against one of our citizens, supported by Agent Five Nine Five. Although I do admit that the likelihood of such cooperation has been compromised by this event, I still do retain hope that we might come to some accord. But before we can make any decisions regarding your agent, I do wish to hear what you have to say about the Cradle. About the reason you have called this meeting today." Although the Ambassador had given no indication of agreeing to the Director General's demand, there was at least a slight concession buried in her response. Despite announcing her belief in the agent's association with the attack, she, rather specifically, did not take further negotiations off of the table. The contradiction was enough to demonstrate that she was willing to work with him on an agreement, but the Rothians knew that Outremer did not have nearly a strong enough position to make them give in to such demands right away.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang The Director-General chuckled as the Ambassador defended her charge, rubbing his clearly shaven chin on a knuckle. "Sure thing." He winked an augmented eye at Vreta. "I'm sure your man has updated you on what happened last night, so I won't go into all the details. But I sent a team back to the compound after those things had cleared out. They discovered the creature Vreta was chatting with had been using a Rothian testing backdoor to manipulate a long-range comms array here on Babylon. It was trying to ping something using a very precise set of coordinates. And do you know where those coordinates led us?" The Director-General took another sip of water. This was the part that truly excited Freyr. She simply had to find out what the creatures from the Cradle wanted so much. She jumped in almost without realising it. "Somewhere on Rothia." "Exactly right, Dr Lang!" The Director-General grinned, clapping his hands loudly together and slapping them back down onto the table. "Somewhere on Rothia. And I'm willing to bet my ridiculous government paycheck that you can't detect it on your own. Otherwise, you would've found it already. So, I am proposing a joint expedition to Rothia, to figure out whatever that creature was trying to communicate with. With the galaxy's most informed Cradle experts…" The Director motioned to Freyr and her deputies stood behind her "at the helm, i'm certain we'll be able to track it down. In exchange for your full support on this expedition, and dropping all charges against Five Nine Five, we will share the knowledge of whatever we find with you. You can't say fairer than that."</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Moreso than anything said so far, the claim that the creature had attempted to make contact with a location on Rothia caused a stir among the Rothian delegation. There were quick looks between one another, as well as frantic conversation in their minds between their implants. "The creature attempted to make contact with something on Rothia? Did you see anything that would confirm that, Vreta?" The Ambassador asked. "No, not directly at least." Vreta answered. "There was no way for me to examine the comms device before the creature turned hostile. I can say that it did seem to be familiar with me as a Rothian, but its words were vague. One interpretation of those words would imply that the creature, or its creators, was aware of our people early in our evolution." The Ambassador gave a glance towards their technical advisor. "Mras, is what the Humans say even possible? Could a Cradle program even send a message outside the simulation?" Mras did not appear entirely confident, but he answered nonetheless. "I would have to study the Cradle directly to give a definitive answer, but conceptually, there would be nothing preventing it. Everything we know about the Cradle suggests that, for all its mystery, it is simply a highly-advanced and ancient computer. A computer that has been linked with almost every aspect of Outremer's infrastructure. I do not know what limits the simulation imposes, but an artificial intelligence within could attempt to access those connections." "There is always the chance that this is a fabrication, but…to what end?" Counselor Joll commented. "The patterns of Human behavior regarding the Cradle have been remarkably consistent for as long as we have known them. They want to keep it to themselves. They do not even share it freely with other Human colonies. This revelation, if true, would mean that they will need to go to Rothia to find their answers. They would have no choice but to cooperate with us, which, of course, gives us a great deal of leverage in the negotiations. I simply can think of no motivation for them to lie about this." Once she heard the others' opinions, the Ambassador wasted no more time. "If what you say is true, this could be a remarkable development, Director-General. You will have to forgive some skepticism, as our planet has been mapped in extensive detail, but there is enough uncertainty that I can entertain the idea there may be something to it. I can say that we are interested in the cooperative study of the Cradle, but it must be a full partnership. If there is indeed something connected to the Cradle on our homeworld, we must be able to study both what is found on Rothia, and the Cradle here on Outremer. With you being afforded the same courtesy, naturally."</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang "Hmm. No, no that won't do at all." The Director-General smiled. The blue points of light in his eyes all cycled one position anti-clockwise. "Some of my counterparts might ask for access to your antimatter infrastructure, or something like that, in return. But I know you won't entertain that possibility, because your technology means to you what the Cradle means to me. I was negotiating with an open mind, but it seems you aren't ready to be serious with us. For that reason, this meeting is over. Come on, everyone." The Director-General stood up, expertly scooping his jacket off the back of his chair and putting it back on. The Under-Secretary, who had sat slightly open-mouthed as the Director-General played a weak hand with magnetic energy, decided to throw his weight behind the maneuver. As he stood up with the rest of the human delegation, he addressed the Ambassador directly. "Thank you for your time, Ambassador Taranik. Would you please inform the Zuraxi'Synkuur corporation to expect a full audit of its operations, in line with the Outremer Espionage Act, and to update its clients? We'll need to ask all employees and consultants to provide a complete previous employment history. If you have any questions, please just let my office know." Freyr got up hesitantly from her chair. "What is happening?" She sent to Masgard. "I'll explain later." He sent back, putting his jacket back on. He came over, smiling encouragingly, and put a hand on her back to softly guide her toward the door along with Dr Uchida and Dr Kamau.</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang After the meeting, they had a polite wrapping up and goodbye outside in the courtyard garden, by the cars. They all congratulated Freyr on her promotion again, then the Director-General requested Under-Secretary Sequeira and Masgard Xandrus ride with him. Freyr thought the man was struggling to hide his apoplexy, although that may have just been because one of the spotlights in each of his eyes momentarily blinked red. It happened so fast, as they were shaking hands, and the Director-General didn't acknowledge Freyr's concerned look, choosing instead to quickly retire to his flyer. But she definitely saw something lurking underneath his calm exterior. Once they'd gone, Freyr, Dr Uchida and Dr Kamau went for lunch together, closely guarded by plain clothes police officers. This lunch eventually turned into dinner and drinks, with the two esteemed scientists catching her up on everything that had happened during her absence from duty. Apparently, things had changed dramatically from that fateful night when Freyr's husband and daughter were taken. A lot of the civil servants in senior Cradle management positions had been replaced by shadowy, highly knowledgeable individuals. Uchida and Kamau suspected these people reported into even more unknown quantities like the Director-General. This new management cadre was arguably far more capable in affairs of the Cradle than the previous elected representatives; they quickly and efficiently put the Cradle apparatus on a new path. One that focused less on expanding the Cradle's usable territory and much more on trying to understand and dampen it's capabilities. Kamau and Uchida suspected this group had the tacit support of the administration outside of the Cradle, as massively increased emergency budgets got signed off with practically no fanfare. Freyr finally gave her statement on the events in Boycott Park to the police upon returning to her apartment. She started back at work the next day, logging into the Cradle from the comfort of her constantly guarded living room. She found out on her first day back that all private sector Cradle leases and contracts were now being bought out. All non-essential access had been revoked. Freyr also received a new and improved NDA to sign, making all new information about the Cradle classified top secret. Freyr quickly confirmed her suspicions that the Cradle Research & Development division was in disarray. Giving a collection of brilliant but entrenched scientists a massive budget and lots of ambitious young graduates, and then changing the division's entire mission statement within a few months was always going to be a tough ask. Karos had made a start, but he'd always been something of a traditionalist. So Freyr's first major challenge was getting the team ready for anything. She had her work cut out. A few weeks after the incident at the testing facility, the Border began encroaching on colonised territory in a few hot spots. Terraformers with upgraded gear successfully reversed the advance. Until a few weeks after that, when the Border began shifting again, all across the frontier. All manner of creatures ventured from beyond the opaque bulwark, wreaking havoc upon squads of Terraformers and CraSec guards. Strange power surges hit the occupied zone every week, momentarily changing the pearl white facades of the administration's new fortress cities into…something else. A twisted labyrinth of organic matter, like some sick perversion of the structures that had stood in their place just moments before. A few months passed. Freyr found herself practically living in the Cradle, working day and night to roll back the advance. She'd almost forgotten about the meeting at the Rothian Embassy in the maelstrom of other meetings and planning sessions. That is, until she got a message from Masgard Xandrus, her public liaison and legal representation. It said the Outremer administration had made a good deal with the Rothians. They had a working partnership, and an expedition to Rothia was being made ready to leave tomorrow. Freyr was to lead it, leaving both her deputies, Dr Uchida and Dr Kamau (she hadn't been able to choose between them), to hold the fort.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori In the aftermath of their meeting with the Director-General, Vreta did not spend much more time on Outremer. He stayed long enough to cover his tracks, as well as to deal with some matters for the corporation he was representing and keep up his cover story. However, he eventually returned to Rothia after less than a week for the official reason of safety, given that he was the target of a supposed terrorist attack. From there, he continued in an advisory position regarding the situation on Outremer. The approach of the Rahn'Masser in the months that followed was one of patience, on Vreta's own advice. They took no further risks with trying to learn what the Humans were keeping hidden, and instead simply monitored the situation through publicly-available means. The fact that the Cradle was heavily locked-down by the Outremer government was essentially confirmation that the event Vreta witnessed was not an isolated one. There was even a growing sentiment of concern and confusion from Outremer's citizens on their government's sudden and drastic reversal of policy in regards to the Cradle. Frequent, rolling power outages across Outremer's infrastructure also spoke to persistent issues within the Cradle. The Rothians could not know the details from the outside, but from their perspective, they did not need to. They just needed to wait long enough for desperation to set in. They did, in the meantime, attempt to search for whatever it was the creature in the Cradle had supposedly tried to contact on Rothia, but without any information on where or what it was they were looking for, finding it in any quick time was only a remote possibility. Eventually, the months of waiting were rewarded. Vreta himself was not involved in the negotiations, but the agreement the Rothian government reached with Outremer gave them a satisfactory degree of cooperation in the investigation. With the information they were given, they quickly began to assemble a research team, mobilize soldiers for security roles, and gather ample resources to assist the investigation. For Vreta himself, he finally had a direct part to play once more. Officially, he had retired from his position at the Zuraxi'Synkuur corporation and had taken a position as a government contractor in its place. He had been appointed as the Rothian liaison to the Human half of the task force that was quickly forming. Given his specific experience with both Humanity and the Cradle, as well as his skillset, he was the natural choice for both official and unofficial purposes. --- Vreta could not say he was thrilled about the prospect of logging in to the Cradle once again, but at least this time he was in more control of the situation. For one, he had his own pistol at his side, as well as a retinue of armed and armored Rothian soldiers at his side. Human entry harnesses still could not simulate Rothian technology, so their arms and armor were all of Human origin, adapted to their bodies, but at least he was not so defenseless. However, the main reason he felt comfortable entering this nightmare of a simulation was that he would not be wandering more than a city block away from the transit station. He went to the CraSec outpost just next to his entry point, sent word to the Director of the Human contribution to the expedition, and stayed put exactly where he was to wait for their arrival.</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Vreta had logged into the seat of Outremer's power in the Cradle, New Antioch. It was a gleaming city state of white gold towers and painstakingly terraformed gardens. Architecture from all ages and locations of human progress were present, from pseudo-ornate crenellations to modern skyscrapers. The only real 'city' of this size in the Cradle, New Antioch sat on the first available entrypoint for those brave first colonists, hundreds of years ago. When they first managed to enter the Cradle, a sea of darkness greeted them. So the settlers set about building a walled, brightly lit enclave from which to begin their expansion. It wasn't much to start with, as they basically had to terraform everything from scratch. As the human's understanding of the Cradle improved, many scholars agreed that the most efficient way to expand Humanity's access to the Cradle was to spread out across the landscape into power-rich areas. But New Antioch, or NA for short, remained as the administrative hub, and was gradually transformed from a ramshackle FOB into an impressive, compact example of Humanity's terraforming prowess. Freyr had mostly been based in NA's Institute For Cradle Research since returning to work. It was a grand, dome shaped building near the centre of the city. The interior had been recently rebuilt using techniques considered least perceptive to the recent power surges. Freyr was considered a high value asset, so was strongly advised to remain within the relative safety of NA as much as possible. Freyr and a team of scientists were busy conducting surgery on a live specimen from beyond the Border when her comms implant signalled a call from CraSec. Stepping away from the mutant body, Freyr accepted the call. "Go for Dr Lang." "Ma'am, there's a Rothian by the name of Vreta'Sori here to see you." Freyr narrowed her eyes for a moment as she tried to place that name. "Oh yeah! I know who that is. Can you put him through to me please?" When Vreta's ID appeared in her HUD, Freyr tried to greet him warmly, despite how exhausted she was. "Good afternoon, Vreta'Sori. Long time no speak! I heard about the partnership, is that why you're here? I'm at the IFCR if you want to speak in person."</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Vreta had logged into the seat of Outremer's power in the Cradle, New Antioch. It was a gleaming city state of white gold towers and painstakingly terraformed gardens. Architecture from all ages and locations of human progress were present, from pseudo-ornate crenellations to modern skyscrapers. The only real 'city' of this size in the Cradle, New Antioch sat on the first available entrypoint for those brave first colonists, hundreds of years ago. When they first managed to enter the Cradle, a sea of darkness greeted them. So the settlers set about building a walled, brightly lit enclave from which to begin their expansion. It wasn't much to start with, as they basically had to terraform everything from scratch. As the human's understanding of the Cradle improved, many scholars agreed that the most efficient way to expand Humanity's access to the Cradle was to spread out across the landscape into power-rich areas. But New Antioch, or NA for short, remained as the administrative hub, and was gradually transformed from a ramshackle FOB into an impressive, compact example of Humanity's terraforming prowess. Freyr had mostly been based in NA's Institute For Cradle Research since returning to work. It was a grand, dome shaped building near the centre of the city. The interior had been recently rebuilt using techniques considered least perceptive to the recent power surges. Freyr was considered a high value asset, so was strongly advised to remain within the relative safety of NA as much as possible. Freyr and a team of scientists were busy conducting surgery on a live specimen from beyond the Border when her comms implant signalled a call from CraSec. Stepping away from the mutant body, Freyr accepted the call. "Go for Dr Lang." "Ma'am, there's a Rothian by the name of Vreta'Sori here to see you." Freyr narrowed her eyes for a moment as she tried to place that name. "Oh yeah! I know who that is. Can you put him through to me please?" When Vreta's ID appeared in her HUD, Freyr tried to greet him warmly, despite how exhausted she was. "Good afternoon, Vreta'Sori. Long time no speak! I heard about the partnership, is that why you're here? I'm at the IFCR if you want to speak in person."</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori While not a terribly large city, this place, New Antioch, did seem far more civilized than the other parts of the Cradle Vreta had seen. It was not his first time coming here, as there had been more than a few meetings in the city back when he was still undercover. Truthfully, it did not look too different from the last time he had been here, based on his brief glimpse of the city from walking across the street outside the transit station. Although, he supposed that, out of anywhere in the Cradle, New Antioch would be among the last places to be affected if the troubles he had witnessed months before were indeed getting worse. In any case, it did not take long for Vreta to be connected in a call to Human Science Director for their expedition on Rothia. It was a slight surprise to him that he recognized the name, though he supposed it should not have been too much of one. Dr. Lang was, after all, one of the foremost experts on the Cradle. Given how the Director-General had stormed out of that meeting months prior, he felt sure that the Humans had expended nearly every other option they had before going back to making a deal with them. The lead on Rothia was likely the best they had remaining, so it made sense to send their best to pursue it. "Hello, Freyr. It is good to speak to you again." Vreta greeted her, keeping an openly friendly tone. "I can come to you, if you feel I should. Though…I will admit, I still feel unnerved being in this place, after what happened. But yes, that is why I am here. I have been appointed as the Rothian liaison to the Human expedition members. I came to introduce myself to the Director, but it seems I took care of that a few months ago. It also seems that you are going to be getting the opportunity to visit my people's homeworld."</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr chuckled. "Yes. Who'd have thought it? Visiting Rothia was actually high on my to-do list before...well, everything." She peeled off her surgical gloves and put them into a bin attached to the portable surgery table. "No that's quite alright, you stay put. I'm just finishing up here and then my team and I will make our way to Port Angharad. Will you be joining us on the voyage, as our liaison and cultural guide?" Just then, the lights in the operating theatre flickered. Freyr and some of the other scientists peered up at the banks of lights on the ceiling, hands shielding their eyes from the intermittent glare. After a few moments, it stopped and the lights returned to normal. They all shared knowing looks. This usually meant one thing; and everyone remained motionless and waited for it. Suddenly, the floor underneath them began vibrating, and a deep rumbling groan emanated from all around them. The surgical table began moving about on its own, and some of the screens arrayed around the specimen rattled violently. The lights began flickering again, much faster this time. "Don't move!" Freyr commanded, holding her arms out for balance as the whole room vibrated. "Vreta, are you there?" She shouted over the din, but all she could hear back through comms was white noise. "Everybody get down!" A man shouted. Freyr turned and saw four CraSec guards bursting through the operating theatre doors. "Wait, stay where you a-" Freyr yelled, but it was too late. In the blink of an eye or a flash of the lights, the whole room changed. The clean white walls were suddenly covered in green-brown trunks, like that of a rotten tree. Vines flecked with faint purple veins covered most of the floor and ceiling. The lighting lost its sharp edge and changed in hue, becoming a much fainter orange glow. Shadows collected in the corners of the theatre and pooled on the floor. The vibrations appeared to stop, or at least subside temporarily. Three of the soldiers, driven by their directive to protect the high value asset at all costs, stopped at Freyr's command. But one of them carried on rushing forward. He shouted out as his left foot and ankle fell into a large gaping mouth with many teeth that'd just opened up in the floor before him. The mouth promptly snapped shut and Freyr heard a crunch of bones. The man fell awkwardly to the floor crying in pain, and vines began moving to wrap around his body. Freyr could hear bubbling, and through the gloom could see various mounds of organic material beginning to appear on the floor and in the corners. A rancid smell swept through the room. "Shoot them!" She pointed. The soldiers obliged, walking more carefully into the room and firing energy bursts at the small gurgling shapes.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori "That is my plan. Not every Rothian is so…accustomed to the differences between our people and yours, so we have always found it helpful to…" Vreta began answering to Freyr, but he was cut off by his communications, as well as many of the lights around him, going dark. His guards all raised their weapons, and Vreta himself drew his pistol. There were other Humans around them in the building, of course, but once they became able to see once more, it would be hard to say their defensive response was not justified. What appeared to be vines, plants, and other indistinct organic matter seemed to appear out of nowhere, covering the walls and floor. For a moment, the Rothians were silent and still, each of them scanning separate angles. Vreta had no information on what was happening, if it was a new development in the Cradle, or if it was somehow normal. However, one thing that was certain was that he was not going to wait around to investigate. "We are leaving. Stay close." Vreta announced in a calm, focused tone. They had not strayed far from the transit station, so it would not be a long walk back. Though, each and every step made Vreta more and more unnerved. The feel of vines touching the scales on the bottom of his feet seemed, ironically, unnatural given his surroundings. They all walked together in a tight formation, straight out the door they had entered through. Between each of the soldiers, they had full vision on their surroundings to avoid being caught off-guard. Even the floor itself Vreta did not trust, and he was watching it as if it were an enemy combatant.</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang The operating theatre was filled with a deafening staccato of gunfire as the CraSec soldiers fanned out into the room, targeting the pungent mounds of flesh growing all around the room. They created a loose perimeter around Freyr in particular, and for all the scientists to get lower to the floor, giving them a clear line of sight toward any hostiles. Freyr grabbed a scalpel from the surgical table. She ducked down onto her hands and knees and crawled over to the nearby wounded soldier. Vines had wrapped themselves around his midsection and neck; he was desperately pulling at the latter, the whites of his eyes clearly visible even in the gloom. Freyr scooted up next to him and began carefully sawing at the vines around his neck with her scalpel. After a few seconds of cutting, the vines gave way and the man drew a gasping, ragged breath. Freyr was about to begin cutting away the creepers around his chest when something at the door caught her eye. Facing them through the glass double doors leading to the gloomy corridor stood a man-sized creature. It was composed entirely of the same grungy flesh currently coating the walls and bubbling up through the floor. It had oversized arms with long, thin, organic but sharp looking spikes on the end. Freyr couldn't see any features on its face. With the flickering ceiling lights casting long shadows on it's form, the man-creature burst through the double doors, both of its arms out in front of it. Freyr fell onto her back and tried to scrabble backwards but vines caught her hands. "Look out!" She shrieked. One of the soldiers must have noticed, because energy bolts blew holes in the creature's chest. But it kept coming, jumping towards Freyr's prone form. The lights stopped flickering, and in another blink of an eye the regular operating theatre had returned. The vines, fleshy piles and rushing creatures were nowhere to be seen, except as an imprint on her eyelids when Freyr blinked. She collapsed back, her head resting on the cold floor as she caught her breath. The soldier with the mangled foot moaned loudly as the other soldiers called for medical help. "Vreta, are you still there?" Freyr called via their resumed comm connection, still laying on the floor for now.</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori The Rothians were slow and methodical when moving, but there was only so much they could do to spot danger when the ground itself was a threat. When Vreta made a step from the sidewalk into the street to cross, he at first thought that he had tripped over something, but it was a thorny vine that had gripped his ankle, pulling him to the ground. Still, even as he fell, he shouted out a warning to the others. "On me!" The soldiers were fast to react. All their squad leader needed to do was to shout a name, and that soldier immediately knelt down to assist while the rest provided cover. The vines tried to entangle and constrict Vreta, but the soldier's sharp, powerful claws ripped them up from the ground and allowed him to scramble to his feet. At the same time, the soldiers covering found themselves facing down unknown, and seemingly impossible beings rising up from the ground itself. That indistinct organic matter they had been passing by pooled almost like a liquid until it formed into a mostly humanoid, but otherwise featureless shapes. The squad leader had no reason to hesitate. "Open fire!" Their weapons might not have been as powerful as what they were accustomed to, but they were at least still effective against the adversaries in front of them. The shots melted through the organic bodies, blasting holes through them and even removing limbs. Each of the squad members covered a different angle to hold them back. They were ready to shift their focus if any of the soldiers called for aid, though given that they were surrounded, all of them had a job to do. "What's your status?" One of the Rothian soldiers asked as she helped Vreta to his feet, to which he answered quickly and clearly. "Just lacerations. I can walk. Move quick and get out of…" Vreta began, but in a quick flash of light, everything changed. In an instant, there were no vines covering the ground, nor organic monstrosities. The lights were bright, and the city around them was just…a city. Vreta's ankle still bled, but otherwise it was as if nothing had happened. "…here. We're still leaving." He commented. Vreta answered Freyr right away when she contacted him, though with his words far more hurried. "Yes, and I am leaving the Cradle. I suggest you do the same. I am going to go to the port you mentioned. I will likely spend the rest of my time at the ship until we leave."</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang "Understood, I'll see you there. Glad you're alright; at least now you're up to speed on how things are going." Freyr responded grimly, ending the call. She then entered the private comms sub-channel used by the Division's scientists that she'd picked for the expedition. "Hi everyone. I hope you've made your work ready for transit; I want to be set up in the ship labs this evening. I'm logging out now, if there are any questions, get me on comms. If not, I'll see you there in a few hours." Freyr had more than a bit of apprehension about going on this expedition. There could be no doubt that any evidence of the Cradle communicating with other planets in the galaxy had to be investigated. Nothing like this had happened before, certainly not in the few centuries Humanity had been on Outremer. But then again, the situation that was unfolding in the Cradle itself had never happened before either, and Freyr's family was still trapped in there somewhere. Freyr could feel it. However, she ultimately decided to go with her gut and hope this new lead led somewhere. Freyr logged out of the Cradle and checked the big bag of belongings that Demeter had packed for her. Everything seemed to be in order there; she projected she'd be wearing her work clothes for the majority of the trip anyway. Freyr also checked her implants and data pad were updated with her latest notes, so she could manage the division from anywhere with a comms relay. With everything confirmed, Freyr took one last look around her apartment before heading for the roof pad. Her driver (one of the perks of being Division head) greeted her warmly, loaded her luggage into the back of the flyer and promptly set off for Port Angharad. The media circus outside Freyr's building had long since died down, meaning she had grown used to not wearing the headband which muffled her facial features. However, some of the more resilient outlets had stationed drones high above the buildings. They tracked Freyr's flyer leaving, and took off in pursuit.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori The return from the Cradle was as much of a relief this time as it had been after the event months ago. During the time spent waiting and advising from a distance, he had almost forgotten how much he hated that damned place, but it seemed that the Cradle had saw fit to remind him of that fact. Truly, he wanted to avoid entering it at any cost, by this point. While he had been given soldiers to escort him in the Cradle, he would not be keeping a full armed guard for his entire stay with the Humans. The context of his assignment to their team made a repeat of the last incident quite unlikely. Nevertheless, he had improved his capability to defend himself. He would be wearing a shield unit at all times, and as soon as he had boarded the Rothian dropship awaiting him at the embassy, he was able to arm himself with a proper Rothian sidearm. The flight into orbit was a short one, and unlike the other times he had went to and from Outremer, his transfer through customs was also a quick and efficient affair. Given that he was associated with an expedition of great importance to Outremer's government, his ship was also tagged with the appropriate priority. The orbital dockyards his dropship approached were massive, military stations that serviced equally massive warships. Other, smaller patrol vessels constantly meandered between larger battleships, carriers, and orbital defense platforms. Outremer was among the most well-defended planets that Humanity possessed, and they made sure to show that fact as clearly as possible.</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr checked the expedition manifest from her implant while the flyer jetted over Babylon. It showed that out of the nineteen other Division scientists she'd been allowed to bring on the expedition, five had already made it onto the OSC Barbarossa. This was the ship Freyr assumed would be taking them all the way to Rothia. A call sign appeared from Masgard Xandrus; Freyr initiated the call. "Hey, are you on your way Angharad?" Freyr had found out today that her lawyer was on the expedition as one of the official spokespeople. "Yeah, thought I'd get a headstart on setting up shop. You?" "I am, yes. Just had to wrap up a few things here. I should arrive at about the same time as you...I heard Vreta'Sori, our new Rothian liaison, visited you in the Cradle today, that right?" "He did. Just in time for a power surge - a big one." "Ah." "Yeah." "Let's talk later. I have a few calls to make." The rest of the journey passed by quickly. Freyr relayed a few instructions to her team in the Cradle and the scientists already set up on the Barbarossa. But mostly she stared out of the window, drinking in her adopted homeworld's dramatic scenery. From this high up, Freyr could see the ancient biosphere that surrounded Babylon curving down from a mile up to meet the ground in a near perfect circle. The field was almost transparent, apart from faint ripples that slowly moved across its surface like waves. Beyond that, Freyr could see Babylon's infamous Circle Desert. An incongruous ring of arid badlands in an otherwise fertile landscape, it stretched for miles all around the city. The exact cause of this permanent drought was unknown, but many scholars agreed it was likely something to do with the Cradle's physical form. Freyr had only seen it once; an enormous sphere coated in an unbreakable alloy. It floated in an enormous vault (built around it) at the heart of a cave system deep underneath Babylon. A previous alien civilisation, long gone now, had built an entire city around the Cradle, living underground to be closer to it. Freyr was confident that some radiation from the Cradle rendered the ground around it practically unlivable, apart from the area within the biosphere. Even though rain regularly fell on the Circle Desert, nothing would grow. "Approaching Port Angharad, ma'am." Her driver announced, stirring Freyr from her reverie. She looked down and saw the port was coming up fast in front of them. Every self-respecting citizen of Outremer knew Port Angharad was where the first settlers touched down, almost three hundred and fifty years ago. Freyr thought it must have seen better days. From above, it looked like quite a dirty, sprawling complex of terminals, auto-factories and ancient colonial administration buildings. Freyr supposed a lot of newer, more central spaceports had been built in the last few centuries, leaving Port Angharad as a government and military installation. The driver received the gate of Freyr's waiting shuttle from air traffic control, and took them in toward a low collection of landing pads. She could see Masgard waiting outside his own flyer in the parking area as they touched down. "Welcome to Port Angharad!" He called to her as she stepped out of the car. "Beautiful, isn't it?"</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Fortunately for Vreta, the bridge was not terribly far from the labs, so he did not have to wait too long for Freyr to arrive from her short meeting with the captain. He did have at least some interest in watching the Humans at work, if only to better familiarize himself with their methods, as well as the capabilities of their machines. He was, after all, going to be working to facilitate cooperation between them and his own people. In his honest opinion, it could be difficult to reconcile the differences in their methods, but he could at least try to set the proper expectations for both sides. "Of course, it is good to see you both again." Vreta replied with a friendly smile before readily following Freyr towards the office. It was a fairly small room, and like much of the rest of the ship, the air was just a bit cooler than he would prefer. Being that he was the only Rothian on board, though, he did not expect anything but his own room to accommodate his preferences. At least, he expected that his room would match the preferences of Rothians. He had not actually been to it yet. In any case, Vreta began right away as soon as they were in the room. "Here's hoping our conversation is not interrupted by mortal peril this time. How have you been, since we last spoke? Before today, I mean. I myself have been…somewhat relaxed back on Rothia. I decided it was time for me to retire from my corporate life. I considered retiring entirely for a century or two, but then the Rothian government came to me, specifically, with an offer for this position. I guess my experience made me a perfect fit, and as much as I have come to despise the Cradle, I suppose I can admit some curiosity towards understanding it."</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang The corner office was small and boxy. But it did have Freyr's name on the door, a desk with a small bottle of Angjuskian Scotch wrapped in ribbon atop it, and views of the entire lab through plate glass windows. She was pleased to see the office was soundproofed; when Masgard closed the door behind them the noise of rapid assembly outside lowered significantly. "Ahh, the good stuff. Complements of the captain; very nice. I don't drink Scotch, myself. Do you?" Freyr studied the label before placing the bottle back down on the desk. She sat down and ran her fingers through her hair. It'd been another really long day. "Well, i'm sorry you've been dragged back into this." Freyr chuckled humourlessly upon hearing what Vreta had been up to. "I've been working nonstop, to tell you the truth." She continued. "Masgard, what can i say?" "We have an operational partnership with the Rothians, so whatever you think will be useful to the mission." Freyr nodded gratefully. "Then i can tell you that things are bad. We're making good progress in developing weapons and structures that can combat the Cradle's creatures. But so far we haven't been able to stop this gradual encroachment on the occupied zone. The Border is currently consuming about 1% of the occupied zone per week. There are signs that may increase, too." On a whim, Freyr grabbed the bottle of Scotch and opened it, taking a sniff. "It's hard to predict what we'll find on Rothia, if anything. But my hope is it's something we can use to communicate properly with the Cradle. Negotiate peace with it; if it's capable of rational thought." Freyr took a small sip from the bottle, and wrinkled her nose immediately. "Eurgh, that is strong." She offered the bottle to Masgard, who took a gulp and seemed to quite like it. He offered it to Vreta.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta took the bottle in hand and gave it a quick sniff. The strong scent of alcohol was familiar. Even being alien to him as it was, ethanol was a fairly common compound on worlds with life, and it affected many living creatures in the same ways. Regardless, he cautiously took a drink, if only because he was not sure about the taste, but he was not disappointed. "I shall be honest with you, many of the scientists I spoke to on Rothia are not confident that we will find anything at all." Vreta said, placing down the bottle on the desk in the middle of the three of them. "Since we learned about this, we have scanned our whole planet a few times over and found nothing unusual. Though, it is our understanding that you have specific coordinates for us to search. Once we have those, hopefully we will be able to find something." Vreta took a moment to think on the situation Freyr had described in the Cradle. The Rothians had strongly suspected that the situation was not under control, but now he was getting confirmation of it, with concrete numbers. And certainly, this news was not encouraging. "The gravity of your situation may be lost on some of the other Rothian members of the team, but I know how connected Outremer has become to the Cradle. I know that your planet cannot just…stop using it, as some might suggest. It's a problem we have to solve, not one we can just give up on if things do not go our way.I do hope we can find that solution, if not on Rothia, then with the combined efforts of our scientists when we come to Outremer. Our technology is similarly advanced to that of the Cradle, so, and I mean no offense with this statement, our scientists may be better able to understand its intricacies. I am not disparaging your species, I mean only that our scientists will have hundreds more years of technological and scientific advancement to draw upon."</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr shared a quick glance with Masgard while Vreta was just finishing his piece. He gave her an ...ok look before reaching for the bottle of scotch again. Freyr absently opened the top left drawer on her new desk, and was rewarded with the sight of four durable Navy tumblers tucked away in there. She quickly pulled three out and slid them across the metal desk toward the bottle and Masgard's outstretched hand. "I mean, it is the weekend. And we've had something of a day." Freyr explained to Masgard, her hands raised at her sides while she nodded to Vreta. Her lawyer grinned guardedly, his head tilted downward as he poured a double measure in each glass. "I hope you are able to figure the Cradle out." Freyr replied solemnly as she got her glass back, filled now, from Masgard. "Because, there is a distinct possibility we're travelling all this way for nothing. But on the off-chance we do find something, it could change our relationship with the Cradle forever. Our saving grace, if we don't find anything, is that we'll still be able to work on the Cradle problem from our new lab. We can call it a very expensive cultural exchange mission." She took a drink from her newly charged glass, and recoiled at the intense mix of flavours. "So, what would you say we need to keep in mind for our interactions with Rothia in general?" Freyr asked when she had recovered.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta did not respond immediately, instead taking a drink from the glass he was given as he collected his thoughts. Even for a larger being like himself, who was accustomed to somewhat stronger spirits, he still showed a strong reaction to the scotch. Still, he did not remain distracted for long. "If I am being honest, there will be some hurdles to overcome if we are to make this a truly cooperative venture. And many of those will come from my people. As I mentioned, the Rothians have centuries of scientific advancement ahead of Humanity. There is a perception among my people that Humanity, and indeed many other species we have met in this galaxy, are a 'young' species." There was another pause for another drink from Vreta. He knew he was approaching a delicate subject, and so he needed to be careful in how he approached it. He expected that Rothian scientists would be doing the heavy lifting in terms of their research, but he certainly wanted to avoid any more tension than necessary, and if the Human teams could legitimately help, that would be all the better. "I would say to try to imagine what it would be like to work with a scientist from hundreds of years ago in your own past. Say, a scientist from before your species left your home solar system. If your people are anything like mine, you have probably improved your understanding of science considerably in that time, and that scientist would be operating on theories and assumptions you know to be incorrect. I expect that some Rothian scientists may feel frustrated about this, and they may feel that they are going to have to spend much of their time just 'catching you up'. I hope to prevent that issue. I know that your people are capable, and I think that your years of experience with the Cradle will be valuable. Going back to that analogy of working with a scientist from your past, how do you think you would go about working with them?"</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr frowned and cleared her throat, invoking a surprisingly pleasant aftertaste from the scotch. She leaned forward slightly, cradling her tumbler in both hands, and smiled sweetly at Vreta. "By the end of today, there'll be twenty of the foremost minds on the Cradle aboard this ship. I'm privileged to lead them. Between us, we have about four hundred and fifty years of hands-on experience with a machine intelligence that's almost certainly older than both our civilisations. The rest of my division is just a conference call away; at least another six hundred years of experience to apply to this problem. If anyone is going to be 'catching up', it is your team." Freyr leaned back and took another sip of her scotch, arms resting lightly on the arms of her seat. Masgard gave her an approving look from where he leaned against the plate glass window. "Your improved understanding of the natural world will come in useful, for sure. It may be that working around the Cradle may yield some kind of breakthrough. But let's be clear - while the Cradle environment shares similarities with the outside world, it's also infinitely more complex. We underestimated it before, and it took my family. I'm determined not to underestimate it again. We should prepare for all possible outcomes to this expedition. What kind of resources do we have at our disposal while on Rothia?"</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr discreetly checked her watch as Vreta spoke; the evening was drawing steadily on. She noticed through the glass windows of her office that half a dozen more people on her team had just arrived in the lab, luggage in hand. Some of the people already working in the lab rushed over to greet them. She should probably address the team soon. "Well, a full debrief would require data visualisations that i haven't prepared for Rothian consumption yet. But you've already seen first-hand what the Cradle is. It's a practically infinite virtual landscape, with varying geography just like in the real world. As we all know, it's not a particularly welcoming environment, but nonetheless we've cultivated and occupied an area of the Cradle's surface for many years. We're able to tap into the Cradle's processing power, and use it to power all kinds of things in the real world." Freyr took a last gulp of her drink and placed the tumbler gently back on the desk. "What you may not know much about is the physical form of the Cradle complex." She cleared her throat again; the scotch sediment was irritating her mouth. Communicating with the lab's database via her comms implant, Freyr pulled up an archive photo of the Sphere and projected it in 3D above the middle of the desk. "It's buried deep beneath Babylon. We think there is organic and synthetic material inside, but it's almost impossible to pin down. The Sphere distorts all our scanners and the exterior alloy is practically indestructible. Even if we were able to get inside, with everything that depends on the Cradle...It'd be like conducting brain surgery in the dark." Freyr leaned back and massaged the bridge of her nose. The scotch was making her sleepy, which was probably a good thing as she hadn't properly rested in days. "That creature pinging a precise spot may have just been a mistake. But you can't help but wonder if there are more of these objects floating about."</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori It was easy to see that Vreta showed a great deal of interest in the object that Freyr projected above her desk. He initially leaned in to get a closer look, though disappointingly, there was little to learn from the model other than the fact that the object was a sphere. Certainly, there were no obvious notable features, and based on what Freyr was saying, they did not know much more about its interior. "Now this…is something we did not know. What is the scale of this thing?" He asked, though it was more of a rhetorical question as he checked and converted the units listed in the projection a moment later. "Our scans did not detect anything nearly like this on our planet, though you did say it disrupts scanners…in what way exactly? Or do you have any way of knowing? And how certain are you of the presence of organic material within? If the exterior is indestructible to you, then I can assume you have not sampled it, so that idea must have come from scans. Can you be confident that it is truly there, or could those results be the product of the interference? I know you have not broken through it, but have you performed any material analyses of the exterior alloy?" Eventually, Vreta forced himself to stop. He had asked her plenty of questions, with plenty of enthusiasm, but he did realize that it would be prudent to allow her to actually answer them.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang "Fifty two metres in diameter." Freyr answered as she saw Vreta working it out. "It floats, we don't know quite how, and it's completely impossible to move. Believe me, we've tried. Which means that for all intents and purposes, the Sphere is weightless." She stared up at the hologram above her desk, taking in the object's featureless, off-white exterior. "We think it actively counters all signals we fire at it, like some kind of defence mechanism. I believe the only way the hypothesis about organic matter came about was by analysing the signals that leak out of it every decade or so. They're so faint that you'd miss them unless you monitor the Sphere all hours of the day like we do. But they're rich with incomprehensible data when we unpack them. I used to think the team in the Vault were overly dramatic for describing the signals as 'wails in the night', but now with everything else I've seen, I'm not so sure…" "Freyr, the rest of your team just showed up. " Masgard jumped in while Freyr was mulling over the next of Vreta's questions. He was looking over his shoulder at her from where he stood at the window. "Ah, great. I should address them." Freyr looked back at Vreta. "How do you want to do this? Do you want me to introduce you now, and give you a chance to explain your role in the team?"</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta appeared more and more focused the more Freyr described the object. He could understand the reasons why the Humans had yet been unable to discover the mysteries contained within the object's shell, especially considering how important its continued functioning was to them. They could not risk damaging it, though ideas were coming to mind about how they could learn more even with all of those restrictions. "Let's see…weightless it might be, but that would not remove the object's mass. An analysis of the local variances in gravitational forces, compared to the natural gravitational field produced by the planet around it, could allow us to calculate the average mass of the object as a whole. The gravitational field would be affected if it is being suspended in place by artificial gravitational fields, but we my people can easily detect artificial gravitational fields, and we should still be able to work backwards to find the object's average mass. A material analysis of the outer shell could at least reveal the alloy's density. With that, and the average mass of the total object, it would be a simple matter to calculate the upper and lower bounds of the shell's thickness. And if we were to take very granular observations of gravitational fields at different distances from the shell, maybe…" Vreta's train of thought was interrupted when Freyr addressed him directly. He had his neural implant keep a note of his ideas so far, then nodded to Freyr. "Oh, yes. As the leader of your team, it would probably be best for you to introduce me."</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang "Come then; we can pick this back up later." Freyr got up and led the way out of her office. The cacophonous racket from the builder drones had subsided now. Just a couple remained now with Human technicians to make the finishing touches to their new lab. At a glance, Freyr could see many of the main pieces she'd asked for. The captain had done very nicely in the short time available. Freyr traversed one of the primary walkways around the edge of the lab from her office to the exit, Vreta and Masgard in tow. She could see a few of her team had already got stuck into the equipment, hooking up data pads and continuing as normal. However, the majority of the new arrivals had congregated in a break-out area with sofas and potted plants. So she called out to attract everyone's attention. "Good evening, everyone! Welcome to the OSC Barbarossa. Could i please speak with you all over here please?" The scientists in the lab area obediently dropped what they were doing and made their way over. Freyr waited until everyone was in front of her before speaking, standing in the walkway with Vreta and Masgard at her sides. She smiled. "It's good to see you all in person for a change. I trust you made it here without incident?" A few people nodded their heads, but most were just waiting patiently for what she had to say. A few eyed up the tall lizard alien next to her. "We're about to embark on a two week journey to Rothia, to follow up a lead on a potential exo-Cradle object. I know some of you have family at home, so I thank you from the bottom of my heart for making this sacrifice. I wouldn't have asked you if it wasn't vitally important to the whole of Outremer." Freyr's throat was bone dry after the scotch, so she gulped to try and moisten it. Most of the scientists had figured out this was going to be an extended trip, space voyages often were, but none of them would've known their destination until now. "To help prepare us for our time on Rothia, we have Vreta'Sori with us. He's going to coach us on Rothian culture, capabilities and overall condition over the next two weeks. Once we're on Rothia, he will be our primary liaison with our Rothian co-researchers. Any questions so far?" One of the more junior scientists piped up immediately. "Does that mean we're supposed to share our research with the Rothians?" Masgard's hand quickly touched Freyr's arm, prompting her to stop with her mouth half-open as he answered. "Right this moment, that won't be necessary. But once we know what we're up against, we're to collaborate with the Rothians on any details that may be pertinent to the potential...exo-object." Freyr nodded quickly and turned to Vreta. "Vreta'Sori, would you like to say a few words?"</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta appeared more and more focused the more Freyr described the object. He could understand the reasons why the Humans had yet been unable to discover the mysteries contained within the object's shell, especially considering how important its continued functioning was to them. They could not risk damaging it, though ideas were coming to mind about how they could learn more even with all of those restrictions. "Let's see…weightless it might be, but that would not remove the object's mass. An analysis of the local variances in gravitational forces, compared to the natural gravitational field produced by the planet around it, could allow us to calculate the average mass of the object as a whole. The gravitational field would be affected if it is being suspended in place by artificial gravitational fields, but we my people can easily detect artificial gravitational fields, and we should still be able to work backwards to find the object's average mass. A material analysis of the outer shell could at least reveal the alloy's density. With that, and the average mass of the total object, it would be a simple matter to calculate the upper and lower bounds of the shell's thickness. And if we were to take very granular observations of gravitational fields at different distances from the shell, maybe…" Vreta's train of thought was interrupted when Freyr addressed him directly. He had his neural implant keep a note of his ideas so far, then nodded to Freyr. "Oh, yes. As the leader of your team, it would probably be best for you to introduce me."</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang "Come then; we can pick this back up later." Freyr got up and led the way out of her office. The cacophonous racket from the builder drones had subsided now. Just a couple remained now with Human technicians to make the finishing touches to their new lab. At a glance, Freyr could see many of the main pieces she'd asked for. The captain had done very nicely in the short time available. Freyr traversed one of the primary walkways around the edge of the lab from her office to the exit, Vreta and Masgard in tow. She could see a few of her team had already got stuck into the equipment, hooking up data pads and continuing as normal. However, the majority of the new arrivals had congregated in a break-out area with sofas and potted plants. So she called out to attract everyone's attention. "Good evening, everyone! Welcome to the OSC Barbarossa. Could i please speak with you all over here please?" The scientists in the lab area obediently dropped what they were doing and made their way over. Freyr waited until everyone was in front of her before speaking, standing in the walkway with Vreta and Masgard at her sides. She smiled. "It's good to see you all in person for a change. I trust you made it here without incident?" A few people nodded their heads, but most were just waiting patiently for what she had to say. A few eyed up the tall lizard alien next to her. "We're about to embark on a two week journey to Rothia, to follow up a lead on a potential exo-Cradle object. I know some of you have family at home, so I thank you from the bottom of my heart for making this sacrifice. I wouldn't have asked you if it wasn't vitally important to the whole of Outremer." Freyr's throat was bone dry after the scotch, so she gulped to try and moisten it. Most of the scientists had figured out this was going to be an extended trip, space voyages often were, but none of them would've known their destination until now. "To help prepare us for our time on Rothia, we have Vreta'Sori with us. He's going to coach us on Rothian culture, capabilities and overall condition over the next two weeks. Once we're on Rothia, he will be our primary liaison with our Rothian co-researchers. Any questions so far?" One of the more junior scientists piped up immediately. "Does that mean we're supposed to share our research with the Rothians?" Masgard's hand quickly touched Freyr's arm, prompting her to stop with her mouth half-open as he answered. "Right this moment, that won't be necessary. But once we know what we're up against, we're to collaborate with the Rothians on any details that may be pertinent to the potential...exo-object." Freyr nodded quickly and turned to Vreta. "Vreta'Sori, would you like to say a few words?"</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori The Humans did seem to be making impressive progress on assembling their lab. Although it would not help them arrive on Rothia any sooner, it did seem that the scientists did not want to waste any of the time they had. That was something Vreta could appreciate, though he supposed it should not have been surprising. The Humans obviously did not want to let on to the full severity of the situation, but this deal they had made spoke to the desperate situation they were in. He doubted they had many more leads than to follow the threat of what that creature had lead them to. And if this was a desperate bid to save their planet, Vreta supposed he should be sure to approach the situation with the appropriate gravity. Vreta had not had much time to prepare to speak, but he could adapt. With a glance and a nod down towards Freyr, Vreta quickly addressed the scientists. "I know that…many of you did not necessarily want to send yourselves to a world alien to you in a time like this. Outremer is the home you are trying to protect, and I do respect that. I will do what I can to make this transition painless. Rothia is a very different place from your home, I will say that, but as the heart of my people's civilization, it is also a safe place. We will provide all of the experts and resources we can to help solve this problem your world is facing. With our combined efforts, I am confident we will be able to return your world to a state of peace and stability. I will be distributing informative guides on the primary differences you should expect from Rothia, but if you have any questions for me, any of you may feel free to ask."</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang All of the scientists watched Vreta intently as he spoke, but none spoke out with any immediate questions. Freyr thought they looked tired, just like her. After a pregnant pause, she jumped back in. "Thank you, Vreta'Sori. Now, I'd imagine you all want to find your new quarters and unpack your luggage. As a matter of fact, i'd quite like to know where we're staying too…" Freyr looked behind her at the lab. Just two technicians were left, fixing a wall divider/storage unit. "Excuse me?" Freyr called to them. They didn't respond, so she tried a bit louder. They both looked up. "Where are our quarters?" The standing one pointed over his shoulder, to another set of blast doors on the other side of the lab. "If you have a comms implant , the ship should feed you a map, ma'am." One of them offered helpfully. Freyr thanked them and turned back to her team. "Let's get settled in and start fresh in the morning. Thank you all." The scientists began drifting off toward the blast doors with their luggage in hand. A sudden hunger pang in Freyr's stomach reminded her that she'd hardly eaten today. "Have they shown you your quarters yet? I'd quite like to find some food." She asked Vreta, pulling up a map of the ship using her new clearance code to look for the nearest dispensary. "It seems our dorms have hot food and a dining area. Masgard?" Her lawyer shrugged. "I'm exhausted, but i suppose i could eat." Freyr grinned sleepily. "That's the spirit! Vreta?"</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori There had not been much for Vreta to say as of yet. Even if there had been, he could read the room enough to realize that it was not the best time to put the scientists through a cultural crash course. That could wait until their journey had commenced. Until then, he supposed there was no harm in winding down for the day, and he did agree with Freyr that some dinner was long overdue. If nothing else, Vreta wanted to try and relax to put the mental images of those Cradle creatures out of his mind. He was going to have nightmares about getting dragged into the ground by those thorny vines. "I haven't seen my quarters yet, though I do have a map to their location. But yes, I would certainly like something to eat. I skipped lunch, after that whole event in the Cradle." Vreta answered. --- Despite the size of the ship, its transit system did make traversing the vessel as quick and efficient as possible. Though, in any case, the civilian modules, like the lab, their quarters, and dining area, had all been placed in proximity to one another for convenience. That, and separating out the military and civilian components of the crew did tend to be better for both parties, or at least that was Vreta's perspective. Among Rothians, there could be quite a disconnect between the lives of civilians and those in military service. In any case, as the dining area was intended for the civilian personnel, it was not quite so utilitarian as Vreta would expect from Human militaries. Again, the air was a bit cool for his tastes, but that would be true across the majority of the ship. He was pleased to see plenty of seating that looked like it could be comfortable, even for him, as well as a varied menu when he went to choose his dinner from the dispensary. Granted, a carnivore's idea of variety was in the number of different meats available, and Vreta ended up with steak, chicken wings, and a salmon fillet on his plate, along with a glass of red wine. "Your military seems to be treating you and your fellow researchers well on this voyage. Is that a common treatment for you, or is this a special case?" Vreta asked.</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr came to the long table with benches on either side holding a colourful chicken salad and a glass of water. She was feeling quite dehydrated following the scotch and didn't feel like drinking any more alcohol tonight. It was important they slept well and had a productive day tomorrow. They were in a spacious dining area adjoining the auto-dispensary and a kitchen area, in case the team were feeling the urge to cook for themselves. Three corridors split from this common room, leading to small but comfortable bedrooms for each of the team. Freyr sat down facing Vreta across the table. Masgard sat down next to him. "I must admit, my work has not often taken me away from Outremer, so I don't know." Freyr said, tucking into her salad with a fork. "The facilities are pretty good though, so far. I guess they want us at peak performance." She could see Masgard had chosen a lot of different meats, like Vreta, and paired it with a bowl of Tullusk, a soup known for its calming qualities. "Am I right in thinking the facilities on Rothian worlds are all of a pretty high standard?" He asked as he demolished his food like he hadn't eaten in weeks.</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang "Yes, to give us options we've queued up a Hunter Gatherer. It doesn't induct via the harness like yours will; it instead relies on the object taking the bait and responding to a handshake from outside. It will then hopefully find a way in and begin reproducing." Freyr stopped herself from explaining all the intricacies of the program and looked at her team. "Are we in position?" She got a unanimous nod in return. She looked back at the Rothians. "Let's begin." --- "Nothing, it's not taking the bait." Freyr sighed, taking her glasses off again and rubbing her eyes. She was leaning in to study one of the holographic displays on the conference table. "Did you regain a connection?" She asked across the table to Nirann for the third time. "What about if we try to pull what we can back out again and retrieve the data that way?" People were beginning to shuffle uncomfortably where they stood or sat. This operation with the programs had been dragging on for nearly two hours, and there was very little either team could do once they were deployed. That is, apart from watching and waiting.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Marae shrugged and turned her head towards Nirann. "Do you have anything, Nir?" "Nothing tangible, other than that initial telemetry." Nirann answered. "I've been collecting and analyzing every bit of the data stream coming from that object, checking for patterns, any way it could have been encrypted or corrupted, but…this is a process that deals with the data stream of an entire living mind. That's a mountain jumbled up data in a programming language I haven't seen before. Before I can even think of trying to interpret the raw data stream, I need to solve this language issue. Now, I'm good, but it will still take me time to work miracles." Marae tilted her head and crossed her arms skeptically. "It's just a language translation. I could understand the delay if you were restricted to just this ship's computer, but you have the Core at your disposal. With that kind of power, you should have the translation nearly done by this point." Nirann suddenly appeared beside Marae's chair, just to start pacing around it. "Correction, I have access to the partition of the Core allocated to this expedition. And, as much as I hate to admit it, I can see why the Humans have had trouble with this one. This language is…weird." Marae narrowed her eyes. "What sort of 'weird'?" "Weird…weird." He answered. Marae sighed and rolled her eyes. "Very helpful. But I know you have access to more of the Core than that. Just allocate more." By this point, Nirann was pacing back and forth around the entire table. "You know I have to get approval for that…" Before the pair's bickering could continue any longer, Rareth'Jharn made a quick connection with the outside network and, with just a few thoughts, made a decision to help move things along. "I've sent back my approval, with my authorization code. Make the allocation request and you'll have as much of the Core as you need. Within reason." The expression on Nirann's face could, perhaps, best be described as "giddy." He clasped his hands together with a wide grin. "Ah, now that's what I'm talking about. I can practically taste that sweet, sweet processing power. I'll see what miracles I can work while you deal with this." It was difficult to tell if Marae was legitimately frustrated, but nevertheless, her attention was soon back on Freyr. "As for your question Dr. Lang, yes, I think that's about the only step we have left with this experiment. We know that there is a simulation in there for the programs to observe, at least. It might just be that there's something interfering with the return transmission. If that's the case, our program does store a copy of all its observations in its internal memory, so hopefully we will be able to see its findings when we pull it out."</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 "Wait a second. Let me see that, please!" Freyr interjected, hand outstretched just when Nirann made to disappear again. Using one hand, she moved aside constellations of data points like she was searching for a puzzle piece within a vast stack. With her other, she placed her overlay glasses back on her nose. The throbbing notification in the periphery of her vision subsided. Eventually, Freyr found what she was looking for. A dizzying pattern of symbols that her glasses instantly drew connecting lines between and created a hologram for the rest of the group to see. "This sequence contains the co-ordinates we found in Vreta'Sori's DNA. The set that led us to find this object. Your program must have picked it up inside somewhere." Freyr scratched the top of her shoulder through the open neck of her environment suit. "What are you saying?" 595 asked, standing next to her. "I don't know, yet. Can we see any patterns between any of the data surrounding this sequence that may correspond to Rothian genetic makeup? See if we can isolate a life form." Freyr asked, fairly openly to the group.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori "A genetic sequence from within the simulation, but…why?" Marae remarked, briefly showing a perplexed expression as she observed the hologram. Nirann reappeared next to Marae and shrugged. "Could just be noise in the transmission from our program. I did wrap it in an artificial impression of a Rothian mind, and a very realistic one, if I do say so myself." "But…it might not be." Another of the Rothian scientists chimed in. He was a xenoarcheologist named Artek'Qin. His scales had perhaps some of the most elaborate decoration of any Rothian the Humans had seen since their arrival. Much like Marae, he had black detailing on a backdrop of white scales, but his patterns were a mosaic of symbolically-represented scenes from Rothian history in an ancient artistic style. He called attention, for those gathered, of the sequences Freyr had mentioned, as well as others from the Cradle's language. "Maybe there is something more to this…genetic connection? Whatever species created the Cradle, this object, and however many others are scattered across the galaxy, they clearly had a far reach. They may have even influenced the development of our species, and others." Marae looked on somewhat disapprovingly. "Now let's avoid jumping to hasty conclusions. We have hardly confirmed that the interaction went to such an extent as…" Artek held up his hands and shook his head. "I know, I know, just hear me out. Whatever the nature of our interactions, this species was still clearly spread out far beyond just one planet. If the evidence is as it seems, then this species was directly meddling with lifeforms. What if this Cradle language follows that connection with life? What if this is a DNA-based language? For a species that may have interacted with many other forms of life, what better a basis for a language than the language of life itself? There could be patterns we are not seeing, hidden among the existing patterns of life. Proteins as letters or ideas, epigenetic markers as accents or punctuation. There are possibilities I do not think we have begun to approach." Nirann appeared in a chair so he could lean back and stroke his chin. "I…don't think I can rule that out. Normal genetic patterns could be hiding deeper ones. I'll have to write up a custom algorithm to try and filter unrelated patterns, but…I could give it a go. Maybe give it a few trillion iterations in the Core and see what pops up? Oh, and Artek, don't think I missed that little implication. I do take offense to it." "You can try it, but don't get too sidetracked. Dr. Lang may be right as well. Even if you are right about this language, there could be one or more digital lifeforms within the simulation. Dedicate a subroutine to that task as well." Marae commented.</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang "Very interesting...i don't think we've fully considered that yet." Freyr ruminated on what the monochrome Rothian had said about a DNA-based language. She turned back to her team, who had gathered around three consoles in the bank behind her. "Pull up the files on all the Cradle specimens we captured." She turned back to Marae. "Yank the program for me, please. I want to see what data we have." --- "There's hundreds more of them." Freyr murmured in wonderment. Her overlay glasses were pulling out dozens of iterations of the same coordinates from the wreckage of the probe they'd yanked. She was very impressed that they'd collected this much, which she supposed was mostly down to the advanced Rothian tech. But what did it all mean? Freyr took a deep breath through her nose, massaging her bottom lip with two fingers. Her back was starting to hurt, so she stood up straight again. "Freyr, you need to look at this." Dr Wetherall pushed in next to her at the conference table and splayed a mess of holo-pads out. "I tried to match up some of the information connected to the coords we pulled from the probe with the sample we took from Mr Sori. There are lots of slight changes, but i can see correlation too." Freyr held two holopads up, one in each hand. To her trained eye, one hand contained an atomic portrait of a Rothian. The other contained a fuzzy, indistinct, sinister looking cousin. "Do you think…?" Dr Wetherall asked, blinking at her. "Fuck, has it been staring us in the face this whole time?" Freyr asked back, staring off into the distance for a moment, lost in thought. Then, she slid the two holo pads across the table to Marae. "We know that the Cradle captures and recreates things from outside the simulation. We also know it's highly likely that this object had something to do with the patterns in Rothian DNA. But how did those patterns get there? We don't know of any power these objects have to change genetics on the outside, but inside their domain? It's plausible. And I think my astute deputy may have found the origin stock."</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 Well...the water probably won't kill us.." Dr Wetherall concluded, peering at his suit's readouts from the water experiment. "At least not right away. It's chock full of microorganisms and minerals, but nothing innately poisonous to Humans or Rothians." He sent the results to Ngata's suit, who stooped over his left arm's holo-readout to see for himself. "Perhaps i will have that swim, after all." 595 smirked. "Maybe they'll have some bathing suits where we're headed." "Focus up." Thebes ordered, the sight of his energy rifle scanning the land, water and cliffs in front of them.The trees rustled, as if whispering to one another. They advanced in an uneasy silence for a few minutes, keeping an even distance between the water's edge and the cliff faces around the basin's border. It wasn't until they'd made it halfway round the lake in peace that a loud flap and an animalistic scream disturbed the uneasy quiet. Acting on impulse 595 turned, locked her legs, pulled her pistol out and fired up at the object she found barrelling toward them. Several others from the team fired as well. A bundle of leathery wings fell from the sky. 595 stepped in front of Dr Wetherall, shooting at the object a couple more times as it rapidly approached them. However she didn't get to see the results of her handiwork. Almost too fast for the eye to see, one of the nearby trees exploded into action, snatching the creature out of the air as it lost altitude. The fibrous tendrils of the tree engulfed it entirely, until something crunched loudly. The tree trunk then rocked back and forth, and the boughs ejected the crippled creature straight into the cold dark of the lake with a splash. The water quickly submerged the ailing creature; it squealed as it was sucked down under the surface.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori While Rareth could have fired sooner, she had taken those few extra moments to try and assess how much of a threat the creature really was. Still, she could not entirely fault the agent for firing. Everything about its body language and movement did suggest aggressive intent. It was strange that it would try to attack such a large group, but then again, as a flying creature, perhaps it just hoped to pick one of them off. In any case, it was not the flyer that was revealed to be the greatest source of worry. The trees around them, it seemed, were more than just stationary plants. In retrospect, Rareth perhaps should have been suspicious of them. Bioluminescence could be used to lure or dazzle prey. Though, she was not sure if the trees were predatory, exactly. The tree had not consumed the flyer, but rather attacked and tossed it away. It may have been more of a defense mechanism, in which case the lights were probably warnings. "Move carefully and keep away from the trees." Rareth said calmly. She was glad they had taken the less dense pathway. "We do not know what will set them off, so just try not to agitate them."</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 "Why did you do that?" Dr Ngata complained, looking at the agent as she holstered her pistol. "I was watching it, and that creature wasn't going to attack us; believe me. If anything, it was trying to-" 595 quickly rounded on the scientist, cutting him off. "Let's get one thing straight, ok? If you see something, ANYTHING, moving in the area, you let the rest of us know. Not after you've had a chance to study it, not once you've added it to your codex, right-a-fucking-way. All our lives depend on it. You got that?" "I'm trying to help us all out, you crazy bitch! Analysing the fauna before you shoot the fuck out of it will give clues as to what other kinds of organisms might live here!" Dr Ngata shot back, violently poking the agent's breastplate with one suited finger. "Or would you rather we all traipse around here with our thumbs in our asses and no idea which way is up?" 595 slapped the man's finger away from her. "Don't give me that; It's our job to keep you safe! And in a place like this, we can only do that by assuming everything is hostile until proven otherwise. And now we need to add the trees to that list too!" "Umm, guys...what are these trees up to?" Dr Wetherall interrupted. 595 and Dr Ngata both looked at the other scientist. He was in between Carthage and Athena, with his back to both of them. They were all looking at one of the trees. A noticeable creaking, rustling sound hadn't stopped since the plant had grabbed that winged beast. Now, all of it's blue luminescent orbs had turned to face them. The branches weren't droopy anymore, but rigid and alert, like the tree was shocked to see them. Scanning the area, 595 noticed all the other trees were doing the same. "We need to move. Now!" Thebes barked. 595 drew her pistol again as they began jogging raggedly in formation. They only made it a few dozen steps, passing a couple more of the trees before all hell broke loose. Four trees, one on each point of the compass, all lunged forward as one. Their branches engulfed the team, grabbing at arms, heads, legs, weapons, everything. Comms erupted as everyone began shouting at once, and gunfire exploded in 595's ears. Right in front of her she saw two strong branches grab each of Dr Wetherall's ankles, pull him off his feet and drag him out of formation towards one of the trees. Carthage leapt forward and grabbed one of the scientist's hands as the branches pulled him off the floor and into the air. With her other hand, Carthage shot wildly up into the tree limbs. Another offshoot wrapped around 595's midriff and her suit's pressure alarm blared. She shot her pistol straight down through the branch as it dragged her backwards toward the water. Gouts of blue flame rushed past her face from Memnon's arm cannon, setting the tree behind her ablaze. A shrill squealing sound filled the whole basin, emanating from the tree as the orbs burst and from the lake. The grip around 595's waist lessened, but didn't give way. Dr Ngata wiggled free of the thin stem wrapped around his wrist and ran for the agent, diving to grab her feet and slow the drag down. "SHOOT IT!" He screamed at her. "I'm fucking trying! Grab the knife from my right thigh!" 595 shouted back, pumping energy into the bough around her body.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori In one, swift motion, Rareth moved her fusion cannon to her back while drawing a more appropriate weapon for the situation. Unfortunately, it seemed the trees themselves were the threat they had to face. The weapon Rareth decided to use was not one that she had carried with her, but rather, was one that was integrated into her own body. From the outside, one would see her armor on her left arm opening up, separating long-ways into three parts…along with her arm itself. It revealed that there was no bone, muscle, nor any other organic parts within the limb, as it was entirely mechanical. Inside her arm, along the length from her elbow to her hand, there were three energy projectors that pulsed with a bright orange glow. In an instant, a glowing, red-orange plasma blade extended forth from her arm. It was a long weapon that could reach the ground from a standing position, and was intense enough to burn through nearly anything it encountered. Especially for a being of her size, Rareth moved at a lightning pace. The trees too had reached their limbs for her, but her blade covered wide arcs around herself to cleave through the branches. Certainly, it was quicker to clear foliage with a blade than a rifle, so she had the chance to help some of the others quickly. Her priority was to help those that were not equipped to defend themselves, which to start was Dr. Wetherall. While Carthage was trying to pull him back, she came in at a sprint towards the scientist's feet and slashed at the branches to try and free him quickly. For Nirann, he had been at the most central point in the group, farthest from the trees, so he had been spared from the initial grasping branches of their floral attackers. Or, perhaps it was the fact that he was entirely mechanical that led the trees to favor his organic allies? In any case, he was able to carefully put down some of what he was carrying: at least the things he could pick up again quickly. His cargo was important, and he had to protect it, but being in a military security bot, he did have some means to help. He reached behind himself and drew from his back a compact energy carbine, which automatically unfolded once he removed it from its compartment. Agent 595 had been grabbed from nearby to himself and was being dragged towards the water, so Nirann engaged his frame's targeting software and started to take shots at the source of the branches grabbing her.</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Dr Wetherall fell out of the tree and clattered to the floor at Carthage' feet. She drew her knife and slashed at a few oncoming branches. Wary now, they stayed just out of reach, the blue orbs studying her and Rareth. Then, the entire tree lunged forward, swatting Rareth away and scooping up the slender Human soldier in its clutches. It rose back up to full height, creaked backwards, and shot Carthage out like a rock from a slingshot toward the lake. Just as she flew into the air, the charges she'd primed detonated inside the mess of tree branches, creating a massive fireball that cauterised the site. The entire valley seemed to reverberate with angry screams. Carthage gracefully sailed through the air, preparing to plunge feet first into the shallows of the lake. That is until a long, fleshy tentacle with the same pale colour as the trees burst from the depths and grabbed her. "Uh oh." She had time to say, before the tentacle vanished back into the water with her secured to the end of it. "Carthage, come in!" Thebes called, savagely slicing through razor-sharp vines in the middle of the ruckus. "Athena, secure Dr Wetherall! Knossos, help Dr Ngata! Rest of you, Focus fire on the trees! I'm going after her." He burst through the swirling mass of branches, some of them on fire, onto the 'beach' of the lake. As if to greet him, three more large tentacles emerged from the choppy water and rushed toward him. "Oh shit." He growled, diving to one side.</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori On her approach, Rareth focused every sensor available to her on the creature at the bottom of the lake. Any slight weakness she could identify could be important. Although, if Thebes was correct, the creature's central mass could be a weakness for the whole organism. "If it is controlling the trees, then we need only kill it to protect the others. If we get Carthage to safety, I will destroy it." Rareth did not truly swim, though she was still relatively swift through the water. She used her powerful legs to push across the bottom of the lake, moving straight towards the creature's maw without hesitation. The smaller tentacles along the lake bed lashed and grabbed at her, but Rareth did not miss a swing of her blade to cleave through anything that might slow her down. With her sonar, she did not need to look to know which were the closest to her, and which she needed to swing at next. For the smaller tentacles, they did not so much as even slow down her progress. Regardless, Carthage needed their help immediately, so Rareth attempted to assist from distance as well. Much like her other arm, Rareth's right arm opened up in four parts to reveal a new weapon. Rather than a sword, the energy projectors on the inside of the mechanical limb used electromagnetic fields to contain and direct particle beams at near the speed of light. It was similar in principle to a railgun, but instead fired streams of much smaller particles at much higher speeds. She fired a few bright violet beams from her particle cannon at the larger tentacles that were trying to pull Carthage in, hopefully to at least weaken them. One of the larger tentacles started to cut through the water towards Rareth, though she made no effort to dodge or try to get around it. Rather, she leaped forward off of the lake bed straight towards it to meet it head-on with her sword, rather than to give it any chance to potentially catch her by surprise.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang The tentacles swept across the lakebed, coming at Thebes and Rareth like wrecking balls travelling at the speed of sound. Under the water and this close to the source, they didn't fully unfurl. Instead, they packed together like fleshy fists, trying to kill its prey before eating it. Thebes used his suit's propulsion unit to juke left out of the way of the initial crushing blow, but another smaller tentacle tripped him up. He dragged his energy dagger along the side of it on the way down; blue-black ichor sprayed all over Thebes armour, the tentacle wiggling frantically away. Floating back to his feet, Thebes was buffeted by the mace coming free of the lakebed beside him. Jetting above the writhing tentacle mace, he unholstered his rifle and shot down at the mass with one hand. It reacted quickly, flicking up at him. The mace clipped his legs, sending the soldier spinning head over heels toward the beast's mouth. "Rareth, keep it occupied; I'm going to free Carthage." Thebes ordered, firing at the creature's mouth whenever his spinning trajectory granted him a line of sight. Another of the tentacles rushed in to grab his floating form, so Thebes activated another little burst on his projector pack, shooting him out of the way. The current took him perfectly to the top of the creature's main body, where he had to pump the brakes to avoid crashing into the thing's beak. He clunked over to Carthage, who was trapped in the corner of the mouth, firing up at the tentacles ranging to attack them. "Carthage, assessment." Thebes called, turning to fire upon the tentacles as well. "My suit legs are all messed up. This thing is chewing them." Carthage grunted. "There's a spot in this thing's throat that it doesn't like getting shot, but i can't do that and move away." "Understood, let's do it together." Thebes said, just as another tentacle returned from the surface of the lake and smashed into both of them from above. Thebes considerable heft bounced against Carthage's suit, giving her the shove she needed to dislodge. "I'm falling!" She yelled alongside the system alarms pinging in his ears. Thebes quickly bent down and grabbed her hand as she fell in. The beak grinded up against Carthage' suit, trying to crush her. She yelled out. The same tentacle that had done the damage tried to finish the job, jabbing Thebes to remove him from the mouth area. He held on, anchored in place by his grip on his teammate.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori As powerful as the beast was, and as impressively quick as it could move its limbs, it still could not simply club its way through a plasma sword. When the two met, it was the energy blade that incinerated any flesh it touched. She split the club in half down the middle for some distance down the length of the tentacle. Part of the tentacle did strike her stomach, though without near the full force. It only served to slow her down somewhat before she resumed her charge forward. When Rareth came in close, it was to slash at the remaining tentacles close to their source. Thebes requested cover to extract Carthage, which was precisely what Rareth gave. She was quick, and there was no sneaking up on her. If any part of the creature so much as came close to her, her blade could cleave it in two. Two of the tentacles closest to Carthage she severed near the base, while others farther away started to keep just out of reach, though her particle cannon could still injure them. Once Carthage started to fall further into the beak, Rareth turned to assist. The tentacle that jabbed at Thebes was met with the burning edge of Rareth's sword, and would certainly be severed like the rest if it was too stubborn to give up. At the same time, she collapsed her other arm back into its normal configuration, then grabbed a hold of Carthage as well under her arm. She added her considerable strength to pulling the Human from the beast's clutches, then decided to further discourage the creature by using her blade to start indiscriminately carving through any piece of its mouthparts that she could reach. "Just…get her out, and I can finish the beast."</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang The beast gurgled in distress, shuddering to try and shake off the assailants. With Rareth's help, Thebes managed to regain his footing and haul Carthage some of the way out of the beak. Her suit was battered and sparking from where the jaws had crushed it. But try as they might, she wouldn't come free entirely. The beak had locked in place, with just her head and torso protruding. "My legs are stuck on it's teeth!" Carthage yelled, just as the creature's body dropped dramatically into the sediment. Where before they had to climb up the beast to get to the mouth, now it was level with the lakebed. Thebes looked around him and shot at a couple of tentacles. "We're sinking." He concluded grimly. He turned back to Carthage. "You're going to have to eject your suit. I'll carry you to the surface." She nodded, and her suit started flashing red. "I'll give the fucker something to chew on." It was Thebes' turn to nod. He looked at Rareth and then back to Carthage. "On three, we'll haul her out and then get clear. One, two, three!" The creature fell further into the hole it was either sitting on top of, or busy digging, as the front of Carthage's suit peeled neatly away. A cloud of bubbles erupted out and up to the surface as she lunged forward, pulled towards them by both arms. She wrapped her legs around Thebes midriff, and he savagely kicked the empty shell of her flashing suit. It fell fully into the creature's mouth, and the beak sealed shut. "Go, now!" Thebes called, turning and firing at the tentacles as they all rushed forward. Carthage pulled his sidearm out and joined in. Thebes set his jet pack to use everything it had and pushed off toward the side of the lake, near the top. The propulsion unit kicked in, shooting them through the water above the creature like a missile, milliseconds before tentacles collided where they'd been standing.</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 The creatures disappeared in the massive ball of plasma-fire as it filled the narrow space. 595 fired her pistol gleefully into the inferno, until all three of the beasts charged out of the maelstrom. They were closer now, and coated in plasma. They screamed and chittered, rushing forward with their front halves raised to trample them. The creatures were bigger than both of the soldiers, and angrier too now.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Rareth quickly moved her fusion cannon to her back as the creatures emerged from the cloud of plasma. Visual scans showed their shells were melting, but not quickly. Its composition appeared to be closer to that of rock than chitin, hence the heat resistance. It would not be immune, but another approach might be more effective, not that there were too many choices for Rareth. By the time her weapon was away, the first creature was already close upon her. Rather than run or dodge, Rareth elected to meet her foe head-on. She modulated her shields to their normal state before rushing forward herself at one of the creatures. When the pair met, the sound was like a clash of titans. Metal struck stone, and they both stopped one another in their tracks. To avoid being pushed back, Rareth had to dig her feet into the ground, cracking the stone underneath her and pushing her feet into the cavern floor itself. The stone insect was massive, but so too was Rareth's strength. As they pushed against one another, Rareth gripped the beast's mandibles from the inside as it tried to close them around Rareth's head, while she pushed outward to stop them…then start prying them apart. Far from her usual military professionalism, Rareth let out her own bestial roar as she pushed back, then steadily lifted up the insect. It took considerable exertion even for her, but while still gripping its mandibles as handholds, she turned and pushed all of her strength at once into throwing the creature. She sent it through the air and slammed its full weight into a second creature that had tried rushing past her towards the Agent.</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 595 ran through the gap Rareth had created past the first two creatures. With the ease of someone who practiced weapon assembly in their sleep, she attached her energy dagger to the front of her spook pistol like a bayonet while on the move. The third beast was advancing more slowly and cautiously, but lifted up it's impressive head and lunged for her as she approached head-on. The agent turned on a coin, juking around the massive pincers. She skirted the cavern wall, pushed off of a stalagmite with one foot and landed on the creature's armoured back. The thing chittered manically and bounced from one side of its legs to the other, trying to throw her off. But 595 perched in place, one hand gripping the edge of it's armour plating to stabilise her footing. Picking her moment, she clambered forward until she was right behind the creature's head. She could hear that it was spitting acid at Rareth while trying to throw her off, and could see the other creatures had untangled in quick time. 595's suit identified two potential weak points to try. The first was on the sides near it's legs and the second was underneath the armour plating on its head. From where she stood, the agent could see a crack in it's armour where two plates overlapped on the back of its 'neck'. This seemed like the most promising bet to her. Using her bayoneted pistol with both hands like a shovel, 595 reached up and jammed the energy blade between the two plates repeatedly, firing her pistol until she suddenly it was stuck. She kept firing. The creature screamed and rolled over suddenly, taking the agent with it.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Rareth had to decide quickly how to follow through. The Agent rushed one of the creatures, and she did not have time to concern herself with whether or not the Human would succeed. The Agent had insisted upon coming along, so it was her fault if she could not hold her own. Just a few seconds after throwing the creature, Rareth rushed after it to press the advantage. The creature Rareth had thrown fared better than the one she had struck with it. There was quite a distinctive sound to their shells cracking against one another. The one underneath had been crushed between the the ground and the weight of the other insect, and so was squirming from its injuries. Although, neither were close to death. The top creature started to rear up again, which was met by Rareth charging straight into it to slam it up against the wall of the cave. The one on the ground would surely be scrambling to turn on her soon, and the other had already struck her shields with acid, but she had a few seconds, at least, to deal with the one in her grip. Rareth pressed her hand against the equivalent of the creature's throat to hold it up against the wall for a moment as she reared her hand back. Its legs tried scratching at her armor while its mandibles snapped loudly at the air, but there was nothing to stop Rareth pulling back for one, good punch. One punch that landed with all the strength her body could produce. One punch that shattered the stone shell just below its neck, pierced through the soft tissue, broke out of the shell on the far side, and finally smashed part of the cavern wall behind it.</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 595's suit alarms pinged as the massive centipede rolled her flat. "Pressure warning. Twenty eight thousand kilopascals. Please remove..-" The Agent left her pistol lodged in the thing's head and pushed against the thing's body with both her arms and legs. Her grunt of exertion turned into a shout as its mass gradually began rolling off the other side. The beast must have sensed it was going to flip back over, because it decided to right itself. The roll accelerated rapidly, with 595 providing more encouragement as she freed her right arm and leg. It's head crushed the wedged pistol against the floor, driving the bayonet and barrel deep into the soft tissue. The centipede gurgled, thrashing about desperately as it completed the roll. 595 didn't waste time, jumping to her feet and leaping onto its neck again. She hung on for dear life, yelling angrily as the creature careened around the narrow passage. They crashed against a wall and clung on by virtue of the bayonet stuck in it's armour. She yanked it out and shoved her hand in the cavity instead. Suddenly, she could feel the thing's primitive thoughts and feelings, it's pain and drive to protect the hive. She grasped her hand around that consciousness and squeezed like she'd been taught, all those years ago. Their mouths opened simultaneous and the same incandescent burst emitted from both. And then, the centipede disintegrated into a heap of black particles with one last screech and 595 disappeared in a flash of light.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Rareth quickly pulled her hand from the screaming, squirming creature and tossed it aside with the hope that the wound would be enough to incapacitate or kill it. What demanded more of her attention than the creatures was the incomprehensible occurrence with the Agent. Even with her many, many years of experience, she was not quite certain what had transpired. It was a definite reminder that this place was not reality, no matter how convincing it seemed. The creature, by whatever means, disappeared into ash, and Rareth lost 595 in a flash of light that even her own sensors did not adjust to in time. The third creature, in the time it was given, did manage to recover from the hit it took and turn on Rareth. It lunged at her, slamming her back against the cave wall with its mandibles latched firmly around her torso. The insect squeezed to try and crush her body between them, but Rareth seemed to have an almost apathetic calm about her. She looked down on it as if it was a nuisance, as she had felt the strength of their mandibles herself during the first attack. She knew well that her armor could hold up long enough for her to take the time to deploy the particle cannon in her right arm, stuff the barrel into its mouthparts, and fire down the length of its body. What happened to the agent was far more interesting to her than killing simple insects.</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang She opened her eyes slowly, blinking in the light. She could see her own bare hands laying on a moss-strewn stone floor in front of her. Pushing down on the floor, she rose to her knees. Her breath billowed away from her in clouds of vapour. She groggily looked around, trying to focus on her surroundings. She was in a vast square pergola. Detailed stone pillars surrounded her, holding up a heavy roof. Icy wind howled through the gaps between pillars, dredging up constellations of dust from the floor and whipping the sconced torches into long thin needles of fire. In front of her, up a few steps, was an exquisite throne. Something was sitting there, but she couldn't see what. Rays of light blinded her when she tried, like how she imagined looking at a sun would feel. "Tell me." a voice commanded, in a strange language that she somehow understood. She tried to clamp her mouth closed, but the words forced their way out. Long streams of them in the same tongue. Her back stiffened and her face rose to stare at the ceiling as information poured out of her mouth. She tried to hold onto what it all meant, but it's meaning slipped from her grasp as quickly as it'd arrived. Despite the freezing wind, she was sweating. She flitted in and out of consciousness, but eventually the talking stopped. She collapsed onto the floor, face to the ground. A cool hand stroked her forehead, like she imagined a mother would've done. "Shhh...shhh." the voice soothed. She slept.</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori The aid from the others did weaken the creature, though it did prove a difficult one to kill. She pushed outwards against the tendrils trying to crush her torso, and despite its size, she held her own. She could not quite pry its vines away from her, but as it was also taking fire from the outside, it changed its approach quickly. It formed several of its amorphous appendages into spikes and began striking at her armor from several angles to try and pierce through. There was a loud clanging with every strike, but the lessened crushing pressure did give her the opportunity to retaliate. From her left arm, Rareth's plasma blade deployed, immediately cutting through several of the vines. She swung in a wide arm while spinning around her body at the same time to throw off the wounded creature. Her sword cleaved straight through the center of its mass, though she was spared a spray of ichor by the cauterizing effect of the high intensity heat. After quickly recovering her weapon, Rareth fell back with the others towards their camp, her fusion cannon firing non-stop to keep their attackers at a distance. In particular, she focused on keeping the path between them and the cave clear. Nirann had the transit station disassembled at this point; it just needed to be loaded on to the cargo bots. "We'll move into the cave once everything is loaded up. Thebes, have a few of your people move slightly ahead along the path I've marked, while the rest of us cover our flank. There are creatures that inhabit this cave, but as long as we stay distant from their nest, they may leave us be."</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 Thebes jumped back to his feet, shield recharging after that hit from the ballista. "You heard the lady - fold back to the caves. Lets go!" The Sacred Band didn't need telling twice. They'd done this sort of thing a thousand times before in the simulator, and it showed. Using their innate awareness of each other's position and sophisticated battle mapping, four of the team gathered just outside the deployable cover, and another two fell back to protect a line heading into the cave system. Half a dozen of the creatures mounted the ridge, but sustained fire from all angles kept them from advancing too quickly. Some attempted twistering through to the deployable cover, but were quickly picked apart by a laser focused barrage from the entire group. "Ok, we're good to go!" Dr Wetherall called, gently nudging past 595 as she fired into the melee to give the bots instructions. They began moving slowly out of the shield bubble and towards the cave system. 595 looked back to check where they were headed and then followed alongside, firing and walking. "Ngata, grab the deployable cover, quickly!" The elderly scientist snapped, clearly stressed. Just then, a bloodcurdling roar issued from somewhere close by in the valley. It sounded like metal girders being bent and ripped. It was quickly followed by a sharp crack and the ground shifting under their feet. "Everyone move! Double time!" Thebes shouted. He stepped back into the deployable cover and grabbed Dr Ngata as he stooped to deactivate the first module. "Leave it, there's no time. The whole shelf is going, get into the caves now!"</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Rareth had never stopped firing when they fell back, and when it was time for them to move, she sprinted forward to place herself halfway between their camp and the cave entrance. It was only a short run between the two, but they still needed to provide as much cover as they could to get the civilians, and their equipment, across that gap safely. Even as the ground shook, it did not meaningfully impact Rareth's aim. With the targeting software assisting her, she could adjust immediately. First and foremost, she focused her fire on any creatures close enough to possibly intercept the others as they made their run. Nirann ran alongside the Human scientists, though he did draw his carbine to defend them against anything that might get in their way. It was not his job to fight, in this situation, but rather just to make sure they got to safety. He controlled their cargo bots remotely, and so he also had access to all of their sensors as they moved.</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 The Sacred Band fell back in quick time. They worked in fire and movement pairs where one person ran while the other provided cover and vice versa. 595 reached the cave entrance first and scanned for hostiles inside before sending the bots further into the complex. She stayed near the entrance, clambering onto a rock to shoot at creatures further back as they scrambled over each other to reach the front. Another ear-shattering scream filled the valley, and a sickly green will-o-wisp emerged over the top of the cliff. It was contained within a massive swarm of vines that seemed to collect up the smaller creatures as it crashed forward like a wave. Razor vines extended ahead of it as another series of sharp cracks came from underneath them. "MOVE!" Thebes ordered, activating one of the grenades on his bandolier then unclipping it from his armour and dropping it on the floor. The front half of the Sacred Band turned to sprint. Carthage fired an incendiary rocket at the swarm, setting a section of it on fire. 595's beam rifle splayed over it's frontage. A small hole appeared where Athena blasted it with her railgun.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori The others had reached the cave and were making it inside, but Rareth kept her eyes on the approaching swarm. Would the cavern truly provide safety against this beast? Not only was it massive in scale, but she could not be sure of its capabilities. If they wanted to put some distance between themselves and the creature, just running might not be enough. Rareth was close to the cavern entrance, but did not yet step inside. Instead, she turned back and stared down the encroaching swarm. She loaded each of the six launcher tubes on her weapon with micro-missiles while her neural implant painted target locations across its mass. When she fired, she let loose the whole volley of six missiles at once, spiraling through the air towards their designated targets. Rareth did not have enough information from her scans to know its exact weak points, so she simply spread out the targets to cause as much damage as possible over a wide area. The missiles themselves were set to trigger on a timer from first impact to allow them to penetrate into the creature and detonate within. Rareth did not know how much damage this being could withstand, but if it did not die, it was Rareth's hope that the equivalent of six heavy artillery shells exploding within its body would be enough to at least slow it down. As the explosives started to detonate, Rareth rushed towards the cave with the others as quickly as she could.</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang The whole shelf seemed to explode at once. Not least from inside the swarm of tendrils, with six huge gouts of superheated energy emerging at once. These merged with the bandolier of grenades that detonated underneath the cloud. The creature let out a thunderous screech, which was quickly followed by another earth-shattering crack from underneath it. The whole shelf began crumbling, with huge slabs falling away from the main formation and sliding down into the valley below in a massive avalanche. This was compounded by boulders falling down the mountain above the caverns as well. A rock the size of a small car bounced off Memnon's armour while he was providing cover fire. The hit staggered him and cracked his shields. "Get back in here Mem, haul ass!" Saddam, his fire and move partner, yelled, standing just inside the cave. The heavy gunner was just outside the cave entrance, having moved back out to cover Rareth. He turned and found he was running uphill, as the shelf slowly crashed into the valley below. He dodged another boulder, but abruptly found he could run no longer when a razor vine protruded through his stomach and his feet left the floor. The creature had spiked him with one of it's longest tendrils as it fell, broken, down the side of the shelf. "MEM!" Saddam hollered raggedly, dropping his rifle and running forward until Knossos tackled him to the floor. The cave entrance was quickly becoming inaccessible due to falling boulders - if they went outside now they wouldn't get back in. "I guess it's just you and me." Memnon gurgled over comms, as his suit began flashing red. The vine with him attached scraped against the falling rock face, seemingly trying to find purchase as the swarm got buried under the shelf. "Good luck, everyone." With that, the gunner shut off his comms and the cave entrance collapsed entirely. The surviving team were on their own again, with just tremors from the mountainside to keep them company. After a few seconds, another massive shockwave shook the cavern, dislodging dust onto all their heads.</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori By this point, there was likely little surprise to the fact that Roth'Orsa had a calm, direct response to what the Director-General had showed them. This time, she continued to stare ahead at the screen after the video ended, without actually looking at any of the Human representatives. "Even if you were to give us all information you possess on the Cradle, and give us full access to every aspect of it, we could not guarantee that we would be able to take control of it in time to save your world." Roth'Orsa said flatly. "There are no guaranteed outcomes in any choice we could make. Our best outcomes require trusting in the word of the being we discovered. There is no way to be sure of its honesty, but all evidence we have access to does…suggest truth in some of its claims. It made the claim that it influenced the development of life on our planet, which is…consistent with the accepted hypothesis of the Rahn'Saki prior to these events." Roth'Orsa's last statement turned the heads of multiple Rothians across the room, including some of the ranking leadership. Vreta was both confused and surprised by what she seemed to be implying. The idea that Rothian life could have been intelligently designed had been a shock to him when the first evidence came to light weeks ago, but Roth seemed to be suggesting that the Rahn'Saki had been considering that possibility even beforehand. Not only did they consider it, but the idea was their favored explanation. He had no idea what had caused them take on such ideas, but it was certainly not a commonly held belief among Rothians as a whole. Regardless, Roth'Orsa did not pause for so much as a moment to address her own people's surprise. "We believe, with all data considered, that allowing the being to heal the Cradle is the most likely path to ending the crisis on your world. Were the situation less dire, we would recommend greater caution, but to delay risks losing the option of the being's assistance. Is Outremer in agreement, overall?"</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang When the rows of faces appeared back on the screen once the clip had finished, many of them wore truly shocked expressions. About two thirds had been instantly ejected from the meeting by the video's clearance level, leaving only nine top officials in the conference. Freyr knew immediately upon surveying the faces of her superiors that the Director-General had gotten his way. He'd wielded top secret footage from her morning briefing and hyperbole like a club to hammer any sense of caution or due process from his audience. She watched, exasperated, as Outremer's high command discreetly messaged each other while the Speaker made her closing remarks. Freyr quickly surveyed her colleagues' faces; they looked horrified with the pantomime unfolding before their eyes. She then caught 595's eye - the agent was grim and pale, still not fully recovered from her re-entry. She gave Freyr an incomprehensible look - what was that? Pain? Fear? Sleep starved elation? Freyr turned back and hurriedly leaned forward in her seat before the officials gave their answer. "As head of Cradle Research and Development, I would like to formally object to reuniting the artefact, codenamed Rothia 1, with the Cradle. Under Diaspora Colonial Secrets statute 43, article…61, the expedition lead can request thirty Earth days of direct study in-situ before presenting official recommendations to the-" "Dr Lang I'm terribly sorry, but your conflict of interest with the Cradle's operation precludes you from using DCS in this way. Especially in Rothian space." Smith replied coolly, having obviously prepared responses to the primary arcane procedure that Freyr was privy to. "Dr Lang... As someone who has lost a child too, I know the pain you must be feeling." President DeWinter soothed; all of the faces had stopped talking to each other and were now watching her closely. "I would give anything to see my babies again. But we must do this, or we risk every future generation of Outreman children. For that reason, I'm authorising the repatriation of this object to the Cradle. I hope you will help us, Freyr." Dr Lang massaged her eye sockets, resigning herself once again. She nodded slowly. "Of course, Madame President."</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori For the first time, Roth'Orsa actually paused for an appreciable moment to formulate her response. Vreta imagined the Rahn'Saki were discussing among themselves, perhaps with some disagreements among them to account for the short delay. "If we are in agreement, then we should begin preparations to move the device to Outremer. One of our scientists, Nirann, has already submitted a proposal." She said, turning her head towards his holographic avatar and gesturing to him. "If you please." Nirann was initially surprised to be called upon to speak. The Rahn'Saki doubtless already knew everything he knew, and much more. There was a good reason the rest of them had stayed quiet while the Rahn'Saki were handling diplomacy. Still, he did not hesitate to follow his leaders' request. "Of course. I am aware that the Cradle has, in the past, been adverse to moving from its position within Outremer's crust. We do not know if this new device would be similarly stubborn, but in any case, my proposal would bypass such resistance." Nirann began as he pushed a digital copy of his written proposal to each of the meeting's attendees still present. "Rather than try to excavate the object, we can simply build a Class 1 gateway around it, underground. At the same time, we bring another gateway to Outremer, then simply send it through the wormhole. Even if the object will allow us to move it with no resistance by other means, this process would still be quicker than the time it would take to excavate it from Rothia safely." "In addition, we also need to discuss our cooperation." Roth'Orsa quickly continued. "This matter has moved far beyond just the concern of Humanity on Outremer. Based on the information available, the list of potential outcomes may impact every living species in our galaxy. We will require full cooperation in the study of these devices, and equal decision-making power for any matter with a potential influence beyond Humanity's concerns on Outremer."</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang "Thank you for submitting that proposal, Nirann. We will need assurances that the gate is only temporary, though." President DeWinter smiled at the holographic Rothian then turned her head to address at Roth'Orsa. "We have discussed the arrangement as a group and could potentially agree to expand the clause on exo-Cradle objects. So we can investigate this entity's compatriots together." The Director-General nodded encouragingly while DeWinter continued. "But we cannot agree to any expansion of our relationship regarding the Cradle. It is still our asset, and willfully relinquishing control to another civilisation would reflect poorly on this administration. Our top priority right now should be returning this thing home."</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori "But you are mistaken, President." Roth'Orsa replied, unshaken by the Humans' resistance, and unmoving in her demeanor. "The Cradle is not yours. You did not create it, and as we have learned, its creators are not dead, nor did they willingly abandon it. If what we have learned is accurate, the Cradle is the home of these beings. It belongs to them, and they have the right to it. The Cradle now fits the definition of the native homeworld of an independent, intelligent species within your borders. You do have the right to control first contact, but you do not have the right to deny us access to it for our own…anthropological study and diplomatic activities." Roth'Orsa leaned forward, maintaining her stare towards President DeWinter. "Even aside from such legal definitions, what happens with the Cradle no longer just concerns Humanity. Every Rothian, every Tindrel, Ulsix, or Paran. Every single thinking being in our galaxy could be preserved or destroyed based on what happens to the Cradle. Consider, President DeWinter, that we are no longer discussing a piece of technology. We are no longer merely arguing about allowing Rothian scientists to satisfy their curiosity studying an interesting computer. We are discussing an existential threat to the continued existence of the Rothian people. This is no longer a matter of intellectual curiosity for us, President, it is a matter of survival. Consider your answer within that context, before you reply. We will not demand Cradle data you have already gathered through the centuries, none of your technologies nor secrets you have extracted, but we will require full and equal access to study the Cradle as it is now. We will require equal involvement in reuniting the device on Rothia with the Cradle, and an equal voice in the events to come involving it. There is nothing less that is acceptable."</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang "I can take that first part for you, Madame President." The Director-General asserted. DeWinter nodded, glad to put some distance between herself and this problematic legalese. The man with the shining eyes answered the Speaker. "The Cradle has always been categorised as a 'colonised habitat' belonging to Outremer, ever since we founded New Antioch. For the past...three hundred and sixteen years it has been sub categorised as a 'Tier 1 government installation'. This means we are authorised by Diaspora law to deny access for any reason. Given these unique circumstances, if this intelligence can prove that the Cradle is it's home we are prepared to fast track it's repatriation. But we cannot do that if you are holding it hostage and withholding it's equivalent of medical assistance. You may well be contravening the Native Populations framework if you refuse to move it to Outremer." Freyr hung, speechless, on every word of this exchange. It was noticeable how much better prepared the Director-General was now, when compared to the last time they'd been together at the Rothian embassy on Outremer. She saw a man who had inadvertently opened up a can of worms, and was now painstakingly catching and killing all of the loose fugitives with the precision of a surgeon. Freyr also noticed that after his initial admonishment of herself, Smith had become utterly emotionless, perhaps to mirror the Speaker herself. "Thank you, Director-General. I would like to add that we are well aware of the scale of this discovery. We're looking forward to working together as allies to find a solution. I'm sure we can find some middle ground with regard to data sharing. We will also of course involve Rothia and any other civilisations in the decision-making process."</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Athena nodded and hefted her rail gun. With an effective range of ten miles, she'd have no problem projecting power along this hundred metre stretch of road. She was essentially holding a miniature version of the main gun on some classes of warship. Knossos stepped toward Vreta. He felt the Rothian was slightly out of his depth, but made sure not to come across as pushy. After all, this was just a PR exercise for the Sacred Band, and Thebes had given the leadership role to Vreta as a mark of respect. "We should prepare for the possibility that they'll hold us in the open-air lane to push hard through the apartments. Thebes will be playing to his strengths, just as we are." Knossos spoke quickly, with one eye on the clock as it ticked past fifteen seconds. "I could go with Kjartan, or you could commit more troops there. Eight people may not be enough. Alternatively, we can stick to the plan and I will try to lock down the front entrance to the building. What do you think?" The veteran soldier wasn't clear if the Rothian had received formal military training before, but something told him the alien was a quick processor of information, which was crucial for leadership. "Decide quickly, Lizard Man! We won't wait." Kjartan hollered from the edge of the zone. He held out his left arm, and armour plates slithered away from well-protected parts of his body to form a hefty rectangular shield attached to it. Kjartan slammed his hammer against the outside of his new shield, creating an intimidating rattle.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Though Vreta did have military training, his expertise did diverge from the kind of fighting that soldiers were responsible for. Espionage required planning, but of a different sort. Still, the concepts of how to read a battlefield and judge the strengths and weaknesses of his own team were not unknown to him. More than anything, if there was one skill his experience had prepared him with, it was to think and act quickly. "I know how skilled Carthage is reputed to be, and I cannot know if we would be able to overcome her without an overallocation of resources. I do not think it would be wise to make a plan that depends upon holding the apartments. Controlling the apartments does provide access to the windows and a flanking route, but it does not give direct access to our flag. They still have to cross open ground for that. Let us still push mostly for controlling the streets. As long as we can prevent them from getting too much value from the windows, we can diminish the value that the building gives them. Kjartan, if you feel like you may get overwhelmed inside, try to retreat back and draw them out into the open. As soon as Carthage leaves that building, she loses her advantage."</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Knossos nodded and stepped back as the final couple of seconds ticked away. "Yes, team leader." He turned to the rest of the soldiers clustered around them. "You heard the man! Get tactical, we're taking the centre. I want to hear comms all the time, especially from inside those apartments." Knossos and Athena went to the edge of the forcefield keeping them in the spawn area and got ready to run. Kjartan laughed maniacally, bashing his shield again. "No retreat! No surrender!" The drop troops who had elected to support the berserker were assembled in tight formation behind him, and for good reason. The clock reached zero, and a loud klaxon sounded. The forcefield vanished, and their shields flared up to show they were active. "Let's go!" Knossos shouted, and they all surged forward as one.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori It seemed like there was little that Vreta, or anyone, could do to control Kjartan. In truth, he was starting to understand why the Sacred Band was less-than-enthused to have him assigned to them, but these were the tools he had been given. He could still try to come out of the scenario with a victory. Vreta still intended to play to his own strengths. He was not a soldier, and certainly no Datius, but he still had his advantages. While Athena set up in her position, Vreta moved up along the corner of the building off to his right. The simulation had formed wrecked vehicles, rubble, and other obstructions to serve as cover in the streets. Vreta climbed up on one of these obstacles just high enough to get sights on anyone who poked their head up above cover down the street. He could fall back down into cover quickly if his shields started taking hits, but he was confident in his ability to take such duels at range. At first, Vreta would naturally be aiming down the street along with Athena. In particular, he wanted to see if he could pick off Carthage before she could cross into the apartments. That, more than anything, would give Kjartan a decisive edge inside the building. But, he also tasked his neural implant with keeping up awareness beyond his own point of focus. Vreta's natural mind could only truly focus on what was in the center of his vision, but his implant could scan his peripheral vision in much greater detail. It could identify Carthage quickly, as well as pointing out anyone aiming at him from the street, or the windows once the enemy reached the apartments.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Athena sprinted off the mark, well aware that taking out key targets now would allow them more time to take ground. There were a few piles of rubble that were higher than everything else, but they weren't immediately accessible. Instead, she ran to an upturned flier and rested her railgun on its undercarriage. Looking down the sights, she saw flickers of people moving in between the obstacles at the far end. She focused as laser fire began crackling around them. Even though the sim had changed all their armour colours, she still caught a glimpse of Carthage's distinctive profile running across the road. She was covered by other running bodies, and there was only a split second window in between cover, but Athena didn't waste that chance. She took the shot, and a loud crack filled the arena. Athena was accustomed to seeing bodies explode into lumps of flesh at this point, but instead two of the opposite team floated into the air, their shield bright red to indicate they were dead. They drifted back toward the Red Team's spawn area. Carthage wasn't one of them. "I missed her, Carthage is in the building. Changing position." Athena reported, just as a grenade exploded near their position. She dived to the floor as a curtain of dust rained down on them. "Move!!" Knossos called, jogging through the dust cloud between Vreta and Athena with the bulk of the troops behind him. "Follow me, stay low!"</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Right from the start, it was apparent that the enemy was planning around the dangers of long sightlines. They kept low and moved between cover as much as possible. Vreta had a feeling that it was not himself that they were worried about, though even with their precautions, Athena did show why they gave such respect to her. With just a slight opening, she managed to take out two of the soldiers supporting Carthage. Vreta too was tracking Carthage, and as she was rushing into the apartments, he did manage to tag her shields with a shot from his rifle. Unfortunately, his weapon did not have the same power of Athena's, so one shot wasn't enough to breach the shield. Careful movement was not the only way that their opponents were planning to deal with the sniper. Before Vreta had even taken his position, they had tossed a grenade over. Though, the explosive was closer to Athena than himself. It kicked up dust and struck Vreta's shield with some distant shrapnel, but not enough to force him to reposition right away. The dust did obscure his vision, though in all honesty, that was more to his advantage at the moment, as it also obscured him from the enemy. The arena was not too large, and especially with the "buildings" on either side of the street to reflect sound waves, his echolocating ability could see where his eyes could not. Even through the dust, his implant could overlay terrain an enemy positions onto his HUD. Thanks to the acoustic effects of the buildings, he could even see around many obstacles in the street. Vreta had not been able to take out Carthage, but eliminating her support in the first engagement was the next best thing. Kjartan had a whole team with him, so even Carthage would not likely be able to deal with him without sufficient support herself. Athena had already taken out two, and Vreta could keep his position long enough to challenge those trying to make it into the building behind her. Vreta tracked one about to make his move and marked him on his HUD. Even with only small openings to take a shot, the fact that Vreta could track positions through obstacles meant that he could time his shots just right to hit between even small gaps. The first hit did not slow the soldier down, as it easily could have been a stray. The second hit came as he was making the run for the door, and by that point, it was too late to turn back. Vreta hit his third shot just as the Human was a few steps from the door to send him back to his spawn.</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Athena got up and moved from the upturned flier. Staying low, she ran closer to the accessible block of apartments, where a large pile of masonry had fallen from the top levels to the street below. She climbed up the heap until she could peek over, then quickly arranged the bricks into a stable firing platform for her railgun. "They're moving the cars!" Knossos reported, firing over the top of the military blockade he was hid behind. Another grenade exploded by a cluster of destroyed vehicles. Two members of his team were propelled through the air and into the window of a small jewellers shop on the spawn-side of the street. Glass sprayed everywhere, and a shrill alarm rang out over the top of rippling energy fire exchanges across the width of the street. "I see it." Athena, sending a tungsten round through the top of a flier that was making its way slowly across the battlefield. It kept coming. "Spread out!" Knossos called, firing and moving, an energy round fizzing off his shield. Kjartan reached the access bay door first, promptly smashing it open with his hammer. "You two, check the upper floors. Sound off if you find anyone." The drop troop team leader ordered, before setting off after the berserker along the ground floor. The other four troopers followed.</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta moved behind the bus to block off the line of sight between him and Thebes, then took his other grenade in hand. It was a "scrambler" smoke grenade which, in addition to being a visual obstruction, provided disruption to enhanced vision modes, such as EM or thermal vision. Given the prevalence of augmented vision among militaries, smoke with disrupting capabilities was the norm. He landed the grenade just outside the doorway on Knossos' flank to block off the sightline Carthage had on him, so she would have to run outside to have any impact on the front line. Since the smoke did nothing to disrupt sound waves, Vreta could still track enemy positions through it. Since Kjartan had lost the apartment building, Vreta stopped trying to challenge Thebes and instead kept in cover while watching the windows and doors of the apartments. "Anyone still inside, retreat. I can cover the doors and keep them from giving chase. Our soldiers are holding the middle for now, so if we can keep Carthage and her squad trapped in that apartment building, they won't be accomplishing much for their team. Every one of them in there is one less between us and the flag." Vreta's conscious attention was now on the apartment exits, while his neural implant handled the live updates on enemy positions. "Knossos, Athena, work together to take out Thebes. If you can get smoke on him, Knossos, I can keep updating his position through it. He might not expect that. You don't even need to get him out of cover. With me tracking his position, you only need to get him behind something Athena's weapon can pierce through."</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang The response to Vreta from inside the building was a burst of static and a few half words. "Is Saddam inside?" Athena asked. "Likely. Moving!" Knossos called, fast-crawling toward the crashed flier behind cover. Soldiers on both sides were in a pitched battle now, with energy rounds flying across No Man's Land. Thebes was still co-ordinating from the front, spraying plasma down range at Athena and Vreta. Knossos unclipped a smoke scrambler and lobbed it by the edge of the flier pointing back toward Thebes' own spawn. It exploded in a large puff of smoke, covering most of the vehicle and also providing cover for Knossos' approach. The veteran soldier tapped the Marine sergeant on the back of the helmet and pointed. "Moving left! Give me cover!" The other man nodded and relayed the order down the line. Knossos wasted no time getting up from behind cover and sprinting toward the smoke, drawing fire from all angles. --- The drop troopers supporting Kjartan's ill-fated push into the apartment building had stacked up around the hole he'd made in the wall. They'd caught the opposite team in a bad spot with sparse cover, and had wasted two of them in the corridor almost immediately. The other two had smashed through into adjacent apartments and were firing doggedly from the doorways. Unfortunately, they were so preoccupied with trying to stamp out the other Marines that they missed Carthage emerging from the ruined remains of her fight with Kjartan. They missed their opportunity to suppress her position, and only returned fire when she was halfway across the fire-stricken lobby. Vreta ordered a retreat right when she found them. "We could use some support! Oh, shit. Contact left!" The squad leader shouted as Carthage sprayed the opening with energy. She changed weapon and disappeared from view before bursting through a nearby fire door, ripping it off its hinges as she did so. She absorbed a few panicked energy bursts from the closest trooper with the loose door before sending him flying with a blast from her freshly-retrieved shotgun. She then pivoted and blocked the butt of another soldier's gun from smashing her visor. Carthage flicked the weapon out of his hands, discarding it on the floor and bending his arm the wrong way when he tried to punch her. He screamed as she flung him straight into the squad leader who had started unloading his rifle at her while shouting orders. They both clattered into a wall.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta kept his position behind the bus and no longer tried to take shots on the front line, so the soldiers trying to suppress him were mostly just wasting their time. From the position he had, he could see the doors and windows of the apartment building perfectly fine without exposing himself to enemy fire. Even without firing a shot, he could still provide a great deal of assistance to the frontline, especially once the smoke came out. As quickly as he could, Vreta spoke through the team-wide comms. "Help Knossos' push! Get more smoke on the enemy; I'll keep targets marked." He ordered. The enemy team was winning out in the apartment; that much was undeniable. As confident as Kjartan was, Carthage had the edge on him. However, the frontline was where they could exploit their own advantage. It was a simple advantage, but one that could not be understated: the Blue team could shoot accurately through the smoke, while the Red team could not. Vreta had his implant working as fast as it could to give live updates on enemy positions based on his echolocation data. With more and more smoke covering the battlefield, now was the time to push. All his marines had to do was shoot at their HUD markers onto targets that could not meaningfully shoot back. The enemy had already used a large portion of their lethal grenades in their previous attempted push, so they would not have enough to repel this one.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Knossos made it to the other side of the flier and took cover briefly. Stray energy bolts fizzed through the smoke. He looked through one of the holes in the vehicle and saw Thebes' visor staring back at him. Knossos shot through the hole, fully expecting to miss, before sprinting along the length of the vehicle, On this side there was less chance of him getting shot by accident through the smoke. Keeping his rifle just below his eyeline, Knossos skirted around the other side of the flier. The smoke was visually impenetrable, but a marker did allow him half a second to shoot before Thebes crashed into him. They clattered to the floor with the Sacred Band's leader on top. He punched Knossos twice in the visor before he slithered free and they rolled through the rubble. --- Kjartan surged forward as soon as his shield dropped him delicately on his feet in spawn and returned to active mode. He approached Vreta, standing in the open with his arm-shield raised. "The Witch is free now - we must stop her. How goes it here? I can take men?" He seemed to have calmed down marginally on his trip back to spawn, without losing the bloodthirsty look in his eyes.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta could track the fight between Thebes and Knossos. It had turned into a melee briefly, which meant that Thebes would not be able to focus on staying completely behind hard cover that Athena could not pierce. "Can you get the shot, Athena? I'll keep him marked." With the number of lives they had available to them, it was not long before Kjartan was ready to head back into the fray. Ideally, Vreta wanted to try and prevent him from continually throwing himself at Carthage, because he had a feeling that she had the edge in that duel. Of course, from what he had witnessed of Kjartan's personality, saying that directly would only encourage him to keep taking the fight. Vreta had already tried reasoning with him, so he decided to take a different approach to talking to him this time. "I ordered a retreat from the building. With just a few soldiers, I can keep the exits locked down and keep her trapped in there." Vreta answered. "We do that, and she won't be able to accomplish much beyond taking a few potshots. Meanwhile, I say you march straight down the middle, bash your way through the rest of them, and take that flag straight out from under her nose. We're filling the frontline with smoke, and I'm marking targets through it. If someone like you gets in there, you'll slaughter them." He said, and at least in this case, he did mean it. The current situation on the frontline was perfect for a soldier like Kjartan.</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Carthage jetted sideways out of sight to avoid a hail of energy from the two standing drop troopers. They themselves were taking fire from the other team trapped in the opposite corridor, so they rushed after Carthage. She was blocking their escape, and right now they were trapped in a bad spot - they figured they could go on offense and shoot their way out. One of them chucked a grenade through the ragged hole Kjartan had made, to hold off the Marines pushing forward on their six. Then they grabbed their squad leader off the floor and exited out of the other hole Kjartan made, into the corridor heading back toward their spawn. Carthage wasn't visible in the corridor, but she exploded back at them from the entrance to another apartment further down the hall. She knocked the gun of the leading trooper up in the air - he sprayed the ceiling with plasma. What followed was an incomprehensible flurry of jabs, kicks and momentum based control. Carthage twirled her shotgun with inhuman precision to beat all three soldiers to the floor and then finish them at point-blank range. The two remaining Red Team marines from her initial push jogged down the corridor towards her just as the last body began floating away. Carthage's visor peeled back when she looked at them, making them flinch. "Come. Let's end this." She looked up at the ceiling, where she could hear pounding feet. "Saddam, report." "My floor is clear. The top floor is having some issues." Carthage nodded to herself as they headed down the darkly lit corridor for a patch of light at the end. "Good enough. Take a window, keep them occupied." "Copy that." --- "I know this! But they are on all floors now. I was held from above, see? They take these windows, fire down on battlefield - I can survive, but who else? Not enough cover to fight on two fronts." Kjartan motioned to the rows of windows looking out on the street with his hammer. As if on cue, energy bolts began raining down on them from one of the closest windows on the middle floor. Kjartan hid behind his shield and edged into cover beside Vreta. "See!?"</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Athena gritted her teeth. She'd been watching the cloud of smoke enveloping Knossos and Thebes fighting it out, but couldn't find a clear shot. Thebes was mindful to always keep Knossos between him and Athena's line of fire. She could hear the staccato coughs of pistol fire from somewhere behind the flier. The Blue Team was making significant ground off the back of Vreta's smokescreen tactic, meaning the two duelling operators had been largely left behind by the rest of the Marines. "I'll have to change positions to fire inside. Keep me covered." Athena got up and began running across the street, just when gunfire erupted from apartments on the ground floor. She was hit half a dozen times in a second, and her shield nearly broke. She dived onto the floor, crawling behind a flier. The rest of the drop troopers who'd been killed inside the apartment building floated past her. "Alright. I go win this." Kjartan begrudgingly boomed. He started to run down the length of the bus, shielding himself from energy fire. But he screeched to a stop when someone shouted over the din of shooting. "Hey, big man!" He turned, and saw Carthage on the steps by fire exit into the apartments. She held her extensible launcher in her hands, pointed straight at him. Kjartan only had time to bellow the first syllable of her name before a high-explosive rocket fizzed past him and into the bus.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori The team did run into some bad luck when the enemy soldiers barged into a room that had an angle on Athena from the door itself. Vreta did mark them, but it gave him less time to warn Athena than if they had approached from any other room. Still, Vreta responded right away in giving her cover. They committed onto taking out Athena, so Vreta was able to focus one target down to score a kill, and Athena was able to make it to cover, if only narrowly. Being that they were supersoldiers, Carthage and the rest of the Sacred Band had distinctive silhouettes, so Vreta knew right away when he had detected her. It took a moment to transition his aim, but he was able to see her the moment she was in view near the fire exit. He saw the launcher she wielded, and his implant could estimate its trajectory based on her current point of aim. She might have been able to take advantage of the opportunity, but, perhaps for reasons of pride, she inadvertently gave Vreta the time he needed to respond. The time she took to taunt Kjartan was only seconds, but on the battlefield, seconds may as well have been an eternity. Those seconds were enough for Vreta, while keeping low and out of sight, to retreat back a sufficient distance from the bus to keep his shield from breaking. Carthage had picked her target well, as Kjartan was not an immediate threat to her at range, but she may not have expected the trio of shots that Vreta sent through the fireball onto her position.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Carthage dived back inside the apartment building, taking a DMR hit. The bus exploded in a huge fireball that swept the spawn, setting everything ablaze. Kjartan was propelled into the air on a shockwave of superheated air. Saddam briefly ducked down when the rest of the window panes in his room shattered, then got back up and resumed suppressing Athena and Vreta as best he could. Kjartan landed on his head and immediately struggled to his feet, using his hammer as a crutch. His vision was blurry and the sounds and movements around him were flourishing at a languid, sluggish pace. He saw Carthage emerge from the apartment building in slow motion, smoke curling around her armour from the corridor. She tore the heavy metal fire door off its hinges and advanced with it held in front of her. She chucked a lethal grenade over the top, followed by a smoke grenade. "The Blue Team have picked up the Red Team flag." An androgynous announcer confirmed over comms. The baseline of team comms on the Blue Team erupted into excited, stressed chattering. Half a dozen voices began shouting at once, one of which was Knossos. "I can't contain him, RTB." Just then, Thebes completed his armlock and simulated breaking Knossos' neck. The shield wrapped around the veteran soldier prevented any damage, but acknowledged him as KIA. Thebes got up and glanced urgently between both ends of the arena. At one end, the bulk of his team were engaged in bitter close quarters battle around their spawn, shrouded in smoke. At the opposite end, they were close to taking the objective. It didn't take long to make his decision - Thebes stuck to the plan and ran toward the Blue Team end, weaving through cover and shooting with calm precision.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori It was in times like this that quick and calm tactical analysis could serve Vreta well. Knowing his enemy's positions, he could work out a reasonable plan, even as events had not gone perfectly well. His implant had collected enough data to be able to project a live-updated map of the arena, and the people in it, in the corner of his vision. He could identify the supersoldiers by their silhouettes, so he knew where they were, and which needed to be dealt with most urgently. Thebes had bested Knossos, but he was still near the middle, among the clouds of smoke. He was still a few seconds from being able to help, at least, and more than that, he was behind enemy lines. Supersoldier or no, his shields were no more powerful than anyone else's in the simulation, so if any Blue team marines turned around on him, he could not ignore them. "Thebes' position is marked, behind our lines. Take him down." Vreta said through team-wide comms. Though, his own focus had to be on the threats immediately around them. If Carthage was taken down, the momentum could easily swing in the other direction. She was carrying an object for cover, but he doubted that a simple door could stand up to a railgun intended for anti-materiel roles. Athena just needed the chance to take one shot. Vreta himself had backed up away from the bus, taking cover in some rubble closer to their spawn and near to the flag itself. He no longer had an angle to shoot down the street, since the building to his right blocked his view, but he could still see the apartments. Saddam was accurate, but since he and Athena were in quite different positions, he still could only suppress one of them at a time. Vreta could use that. "Athena, eliminate Carthage. I will cover." He ordered simply. With Carthage's position marked for his allies, Vreta fully-committed onto taking out Saddam. He peeked out from behind the rubble and fired into the window, quickly and accurately. Being that he was firing from long range, Vreta's weapon did have the edge. It was only three shots for it to break shields, in this simulation. Still, whether he won or lost the duel was not important to his goals. Only a supersoldier like Saddam would be accurate enough at long range to stop Athena from taking her shot, so he just needed to be occupied for a few seconds. If Vreta lost the duel, Athena would still be able to take her shot, and a trade of his life for Carthage's would be more than worth it.</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang A few of the Red Team soldiers hanging back from the melee unfolding around the Blue Team spawn pivoted to fire on the silhouette of Thebes as he broke through their line. He zig zagged through the urban hellscape, taking a couple of hits but continuing on at top speed. The Marines were all committed to extracting the enemy flag, but the corporal closest to the rearguard ordered a few soldiers to follow her after the Sacred Band leader. "Copy." Athena confirmed, emerging from behind the car she'd been sheltering behind. She shouldered her railgun; it shortened in her hands to increase maneuverability at shorter range. Carthage dropped her shield and broke into a run when she spotted Athena looking at her, but she couldn't prevent the sniper from putting a round right through her. Athena took multiple hits from Saddam before he hid from Vreta's DMR. Unfortunately, this was enough to allow the last marine on the ground floor to pop up and finish her shields and kill her off. Fire from the drop troops taking up positions around the spawn forced them back into cover, but more Blue Team fighters began shooting down from the top accessible floor; they must have concluded their firefight up there. Carthage's last grenade went off among a cluster of the troopers, spraying masonry everywhere. "Red Team flag dropped." The announcer intoned. The Marine chatter at the other end of the arena reached a crescendo. "She was mine!" Carthage yelled groggily, as Carthage floated away. He staggered through the field, energy bouncing off his shield. "THEBES!" He bellowed, levelling his hammer at the operator when he spotted Thebes advancing towards them.</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Marae nodded. "Agreed. We do have such a limited time to carry out our work. I'm sure a simple talk with Rareth will be enough to clear up any problems you have. If there is anyone on your ship, or team, with experience in neuroscience, they are more than welcome to assist in analyzing the data from the scans. Once they can see the data themselves, they may be able to explain to your people the advantage of using our devices." Though they were all clearly in a hurry, Marae still had one more matter to bring up to Freyr. Based on the smile she had, it was something she was particularly excited to share. "Now, there is one more thing." She added. "I have a project of my own I intend to take on, based on the data from our first insertion. Much of the interaction we have with the object pertains to a mix of artificial intelligence, computer science, and neuroscience. All of that falls quite squarely into my area of expertise. Some…work I have done in the past has inspired me with an idea. Don't set expectations too high, I am only just beginning to explore the idea, but I believe I could develop a method to prevent 'Cradle death', as you call it. A way to prevent the neural shock in the real world that comes with expiring in the simulation."</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang "I'm not sure any amount of explanation will help…" Freyr muttered, glancing again at the Agent. What Marae said next excited her greatly, but Freyr did her best to maintain an equal tone. This wasn't the expedition's main objective. "A noble endeavor. Let me know if you require assistance; it's something of a specialist subject for me. --- The two science teams pushed on with preparing for a second insertion, including the set up of a tandem link between the object, the FOB and the Barb. The enormous computing power at their disposal allowed for seamless virtual collaboration and analysis between the two labs. The majority of this to and fro centred on discussing the best way to approach the ancient entity, but a multitude of side projects were simmering away on the fringes too. However, the timeline was thrown into disarray when Captain Andersen informally requested a short postponement. She was obviously reluctant to submit state of the art military hardware contained within her soldiers to any scanners apart from her own. Freyr tried to explain that Outreman infantry likely possessed nothing the Rothians already knew about, but Andersen maintained that clearance was required from Fleet Command. While Dr Lang theoretically had discretion on all scientific activity, they were guests aboard the Barbarossa. It would have been the height of bad form to press ahead with the plan, so Freyr reluctantly acquiesced, after stressing the very short timeline everyone was working to. The Captain sympathised, but maintained her need to follow procedure. So Freyr gritted her teeth and pressed her team to work with the info they had until things played out.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Given the true motivations of her actions, Rareth's first attempt in negotiating was to try and convince the Humans to allow the civilian scientists to go ahead and get to work while they worked out a deal for the military personnel. She stressed the short timetable they had and pointed out that the civilians did not have the same issues with the scans as Andersen was concerned with for their soldiers. However, Human pride did come to the Institute's aid in this case. Despite the fact that Rothian forces were even more capable of protecting the scientists than the Humans were, they would only be satisfied with a Human presence. Rareth was not afraid to chastise them for obstructing the project for matters of pride; however, she did not argue for any longer than was necessary to keep up appearances. In the end, she agreed to allow the project to proceed without full scans, under the condition that anyone affected would sign a rather comprehensive waiver before being allowed to proceed, in addition to the Captain signing a formal agreement between herself and the Datius. For the most part, the paperwork was a formal acknowledgement that the Captain understood the health risks involved, and that the Humans were knowingly proceeding against the recommendations of Rothian medical personnel. It also waived any legal liability on the part of the Rothians for any future health issues among Human personnel as a result of the decision. Eventually, the project did get back on-track to start. The Rothian science team had been ready to begin for hours, and indeed likely would have entered the simulation themselves had the delay lasted too much longer. They had only to wait for the Human team to be ready to start, and to that end, Rareth contacted Freyr directly shortly after her meeting with the Captain concluded. "Dr. Lang, I am sending you a copy of some paperwork that some of your team may need to sign. It waives liability for us in case any of your team decide not to follow our medical advice. Though, for civilians like yourself, you do have a choice. I still highly recommend that you allow us to perform these scans. Having before-and-after imaging of the brain could be highly valuable in identifying and treating any neurological issues, and it would be best to have data points from both of our species." Rareth recommended.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang The academic in Freyr relished the idea of getting a better view on her brain. For the purposes of our expeditions into this unknown object, but also for her own interest. She suspected a few members of our team would also be similarly interested. They'd heard about the advances of Rothian instruments the same as her; some had begun grumbling about the lack of access they had to those tools now. "Thanks. Yes, it would be good to have that scan. Can you get the equipment up here quickly? I want to begin the exercise as soon as possible." Freyr was standing in a yawning hollow near the Barbarossa's cargo bays. Harsh white lights shone down on a grid of insertion harnesses, metal shelves of equipment and a hulking mobile lab on six hydraulic legs. Bots floated around, carrying items and making changes to connections; they'd built the entire array to spec from the main lab in a matter of hours. Most of her team were already down here, either manning stations or huddled around a holo-collab table with the Rothian scientists. Military personnel had stayed away purposefully until the all clear from their Captain. But that must have been given now, because Freyr spotted the Sacred Band filing in. They clanked over to her, visors up. "Good morning, ma'am. Where would you like us?" Thebes asked.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori "The equipment is already set up and ready in the field laboratory. To bring the scanning equipment up to your ship requires keep a constant presence aboard your ship. We still have to protect our technology, after all. It will need to stay under armed guard, which means negotiating for the constant presence of an armed guard with your Captain. It would be much easier for your team to come to the surface." Rareth replied. There was a slight tinge of irritation in Rareth's voice, though it was hard to tell at exactly whom it was directed. She did not look directly at Freyr when she growled under her breath. "And for that matter, why are you operating on the Barbarossa at all? The lab we constructed above the object contains the full array of necessary equipment, both yours and ours. It was constructed fully cooperatively between our two people, it contains facilities and equipment that are comfortable for both of us. Having our science teams move to constantly work separately will be to the detriment of our efficiency. Now that we have negotiated full cooperation between our people on this project, it would be quite a strange time to move away from having our teams work together in a hybrid lab."</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr smiled sympathetically at the soldiers that towered over her. They looked well rested, considering they'd stayed up all night with Memnon. Their eyes looked aged though, like they'd seen a millennia of sorrow. It made her wonder how many times they'd had to attend the vigil before. "Sorry, one sec." Freyr paused the audio on her video call with the Datius before answering them. "Are you sure you're up to this? You're allowed a day off." Thebes grimaced. "Not a chance, ma'am. This is far too important." Freyr nodded appreciatively. "It certainly is...Tech 52 will get you strapped in." She pointed a slender finger at a bright yellow drone, hovering above some of the harnesses. Dr Lang turned back to Rareth's holo. She briefly considered just telling her the main reason why, but didn't know who might be listening. Hopefully she could read between the lines. "Owing to the urgency of our investigation, I've gained clearance to modify a trillion-credit mobile research command centre. One of only three in the galaxy, it's now ready for the new language we found inside the sim. It's also been violated with certain military modifications, on the insistence of our Captain. The camera doesn't do it justice, but It's much too large to deploy from FOB - we have to coordinate from a cargo bay right now." Movement on the corner of her vision distracted Freyr momentarily. The large doors to the bay had rolled back, and two military transports were now rolling into the space. Leading them was an open top buggy, crewed by Captain Andersen and a few senior crew members. Freyr turned back to Rareth hurriedly. "As for the scanner, i don't think i can swing a trip to the surface right now. Things are a bit...tense. You'll be able to ask the Captain yourself if you like." The buggy stopped nearby and Andersen marched stiffly over with her aides. She noticed the Datius' holo and addressed her first. "Datius. Have you briefed Dr Lang already?" She looked at Dr Lang. "Two dozen marines have volunteered for this mission. Can I ask you to use them?"</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 "There is evidence from our research of the Cradle to suggest these things can practice a dormant state, with no power usage over long periods. That could be how it escaped detection for so long..." Freyr explained, biting her lip. "We don't exactly know what would happen if it ran out of power completely, but there is undeniably significant risk of permanent damage." "So we are torturing it for information!" 595 snarled from off camera. Freyr snapped her head up to look at the Agent. "So you think we should just take the thing's word for all this paradigm-shifting new information? That the Cradle is actually home to a quartet of life-giving machines, and that some new threat approaches our door? There are questions that need answering before we reunite it with the Cradle, not after!" 595 nearly said more, but held her tongue. She was wary of giving away any more information. They were clearly arrayed against her, so she'd need to be much more subtle. Freyr looked back at Rareth when she began explaining her idea. "That could certainly improve the odds! Do we have a firm grasp of the object and the capabilities to move it into orbit?"</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori "At the very least, we can use the same method we intended to try to bring it to Outremer. A gateway could bring it into orbit, and we could send it on a path for a flyby of the void star. We only need to move it a week ahead in time, so it should be easy to calculate a path that will send it to the correct time with a single flyby." Rareth explained. "We should not begin the test until we are ready to move it, so we should have a bit more patience and take advantage of the time we have. I suggest you allow Marae's team to examine this lab of yours. With their expertise, they may be able to make improvements, reduce its energy needs, allow it to operate with fewer crew. If this entity truly is one that is allied with us, we do not wish to cause it any harm." --- Given that they needed to be ready to move the object quickly, the teams did not enter the simulation right away. They allowed time for automated construction teams to burrow into the ground and build the needed Class A gateway around the outside of the object's containment shield. It would be able to transport the object instantly into orbit around the black hole. If they chose, they could even give it the initial velocity it needed to send it on its flyby. Although, it would be preferable to first modify its containment structure with its own propulsion, in case they wanted to modify its trajectory. Eventually, the teams were close once more to being ready to act. While the rest of the Rothian science team stayed on the ground, Rareth herself decided to pay a personal visit to the Barbarossa, for the stated reason of wanting to better facilitate cooperation between the teams in orbit, and on the surface. For a while after their initial greetings, Rareth simply wandered the lab and observed the work, but as the time came nearer to enter the simulation, she approached Freyr directly. "The time is growing near, but my concerns do remain, Dr. Lang. I have already spoken with Marae about it, but I want to hear your explanation directly as well. This lab we are sending in, what exactly are we hoping to gain with it? What data is it capable of collecting that would tell us the entity's intentions?"</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr had hoped Rareth would come aboard. She'd stayed by her station in the centre of the action while the Datius did the rounds. When the giant Rothian approached her and began speaking, she looked over as if she'd been engrossed in work and hadn't noticed. She smiled, said hello, and reached out her hand. As expected, after studying Rareth gently grasped her hand and they shook. Freyr began answering the question out loud with one track of her mind. Regular metrics that didn't mean much to the uninitiated - deliberately quite technical. With the other track of her mind, Freyr opened a physical data connection with Rareth, and gave her the real answer. That night in the club with Plenipotentiary Wallace and Kalax Verengonig had inspired this idea. Freyr had watched them grasping each other's arms and communicating in complete secrecy by sending chemical & pheromone signals through their bodies. She'd studied body chemistry alignment, but had never practiced it before now. Freyr knew it'd be much harder to communicate with a Rothian in this way than with another Human, but this was the best way she could think of to talk without drawing attention. While their regular implant comms would be quite secure, it was another matter to obscure the connection completely. Fortunately, she had an innate grasp of her implanted firmware, and manually programmed some additions to make the translation of her body chemistry into something a Rothian implant could understand. The sensation of making that connection was strange, like interlocking fingers, toes, tongues and hair with something completely alien to her. Every nerve ending in her body jangled and sang. But she kept her expression plain and initiated the chemical signal she'd worked on. If everything went to plan, it should feel to Rareth like her own subconscious was saying these things to her. ><^ Don't be alarmed, just listen.><^ ><^I've configured the rig to search for information connecting this entity to the Cradle, and for proof of the 'Hegemon'.><^ ><^It said all meaningful records were stored in the Cradle, but there might be usable imprints hidden somewhere in it's memory.><^ ><^The Cradle has obscured origin logs for centuries, but this entity is vulnerable, and not as vast in scope. We might have a better chance now than we'll ever get again.><^ ><^We might learn where these things came from, and perhaps secrets about intelligent life itself.><^ ><^Please trust me when I say it's important we try. I can feel something isn't right. Do not make this information public. My life is in danger. Do NOT offer me asylum or try to intervene, I have to save my family.><^ The last segment was rushed and crammed together, as Freyr felt rising nausea threatening to disrupt the flow of actual words coming from her mouth.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori From Freyr's perspective, it would be hard to tell how well her message got through. Rareth did not act or react in any way that would indicate acknowledgement nor a response, but it would be hard to say whether that was because the message did not get through successfully, or due to her expertise in matters of subtlety. Rareth did respond directly to the words Freyr had spoken aloud. "I will trust Marae's judgment on whether or not this data is worth the risk. Above all, we cannot risk harming this entity. We seek peaceful cooperation with it. Ideally, we want to be able to find a way to inform the entity of our plan to advance it in time. And if we can find a way to help stabilize it, or ask permission to perform our tests, we will." In the time they had taken to prepare the object for transport, the Rothian team had also made some improvements to the mobile lab they intended to use for this plan. Antimatter powered micro-reactors could improve the overall energy efficiency of the device, and Nirann had been given the instructions necessary to perform the tasks of several crew members to reduce the number of people they would need to send in to the simulation. Altogether, it would hopefully reduce the impact on the entity. At least in terms of that motivation, Rareth was not lying. If the entity truly was their ally, she did not want to harm it. "We do, of course, need to take precautions for your safety. We will send in one droid ahead of the team to ensure that the environment in the simulation is still livable. We do not know if the storm we encountered just before our exit has persisted, or how much of an area it covered. If it has, we may need to call this off. Our mobile transit stations have passed all simulated trials, so you should be able to extract quickly if there is trouble. Have you discussed my prior suggestions with your Captain? I would prefer to send in no more than is necessary. Ten or so, would be my recommendation." Rareth suggested.</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang "Yes of course. If there are any signs of terminal strain on the simulation we'll pull out immediately. We want to keep this thing alive." Freyr assured Datius. The thrill of discovering an entirely new species was not lost on her. If it weren't for all the other extenuating circumstances, she'd have already laid the foundations for formally introducing this entity to the galactic community once the mission was declassified. It might have been her crowning achievement - uncovering a lifeform that was potentially millions of years old and one of the final puzzle pieces to her life's work - uncovering the secrets of the Cradle. "The drone is already prepped. I'm not injecting it until we're in a ready position, so we can quickly follow it and minimise runtime waste." Freyr frowned at Rareth's next question. "Yeah, I discussed them. Andersen came down from thirteen to ten marines, plus the Sacred Band. That was after I explained that the modifications to our lab mean only eight are required to control it. She won't budge any further." "Boss!" Dr Apalkov called from the other side of the holo-table. Freyr moved all the floating items with a 'through the bushes' motion of both hands. "What do you have for me?" She asked. "I've locked onto the mountain, using the extraction file. Want me to lock that in again now?" "Good work, yes please. That's where we last saw the creature." Freyr looked back at Rareth, hands resting on the table. "There's no easy way down the mountain for the rig if our friend isn't there. I hope the anti-gravity generators you installed work as described. Do you have any more questions for me or can we get this show on the road?"</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori "Unfortunate. I know you had some strange experiences in this simulation. I did see Rareth's perspective, and you definitely disappeared entirely in that cave. I have a feeling that the rules here can be…different from reality." Vreta commented . For the moment, Vreta moved with Freyr and 595 into the lab. He did need to make contact with the entity, but it was not as if he was simply going to wander off into the ruins on his own. He hoped the equipment on the lab would help him in making contact. He followed the pair up the ladder onto the vehicle, followed shortly by Marae, Nirann, and the rest of the scientists. The soldiers were the last up, as they covered the area until the civilians were on board. As they headed to the nerve center, Vreta continued to speak to both the Agent and Freyr. "I know you may not have the answers, but I would appreciate any advice you can think of. I need to find some way to make contact as soon as I can. I would prefer to be able to open dialogue with the entity before we make any drastic moves here in the sim. I hope you are aware that Rareth has ordered us to call off our attempt if the entity objects to it. We don't want to harm it. Remember, the whole point of bringing the object to Outremer to begin with is so we can help the entity recover. Even your Institute is willing to reunite the two, which is honestly not the answer I was expecting from the Director-General, I'll admit. At any rate, I'm just glad we can agree on something. Let's just try not to sabotage our own mission while we're here."</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 595 didn't reply to Vreta - she had nothing to say to him right now. She busied herself with guiding Freyr onto and up the ladder instead. Dr Lang fumbled clumsily with her carabiner until the Agent gently took it from her and attached it to the ladder's guide rail. Eventually, they made it up onto the rig's lower deck. A thin metal pathway with a support railing wound the whole way around both decks. Freyr led the way towards the front of the massive vehicle, holding on carefully to stop the wind buffeting her over the side. They approached a solid set of blast doors in the side of the vehicle with a keypad to one side; snow was already beginning to settle in the panelling. Freyr jabbed her pass sequence into the interface and the doors swooshed open. They clanked into a cramped heptagonal room. Five of the walls were covered in consoles and screens, with a holo-interface in the centre. The door they entered through occupied another side and another door opened on their right once Freyr went in. "We need to check the simulation isn't going to crash around our heads in five minutes time first." Freyr answered. "And then, we will try and make contact with the entity together. The rig's energy distribution is compartmentalised, so we can set up basic monitoring and comms without turning the primary power source on. We have Marae to thank for our improved efficiency here." Freyr hit a few toggles on her wrist holo and the room they were filing into lit up. The screens populated with graphs and fluctuating spirals. "Comms." Freyr announced into the room. "Dr Chanthara, you're up." "We should have someone outside guarding this door. Question is - one of yours or one of ours?" 595 asked Vreta.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori "That depends, how comprehensive is the lab's surveillance system?" Vreta questioned. "I would say we should position the soldiers to cover any blind spots that might exist. Otherwise, they should position somewhere central to be able to reach any part of the rig quickly." Although Nirann was nowhere to be seen around them, he was evidently close enough to listen in, as he soon came in on their comms. "I'm heading up to the bridge right now. I'll start up the sensors right away so we can get sights on our surroundings." "Good, safety is Rareth's priority here." Vreta answered back, though he quickly returned his attention back to what was immediately around him.. Unlike Marae and her team, he had not been instructed in the operation of this lab, but as an observer, he could still make sense of most of what he saw on the consoles around them. He hoped that the entity would have the ability to communicate through the comms system the lab was using. His job would be much easier if he did not have to go out into the storm. "Rareth also instructed me to make sure transit stations are prepared for activation as soon as possible. She wants everyone close enough to a station that we can all evacuate in under twenty seconds if we encounter trouble."</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang "The only blindspots are inside the rig. Outside, we have a full spectrum view in three hundred and sixty degrees from maneuvering cameras and technical instruments." Freyr explained as she led them through the interior door back towards the middle of the craft. "The last thing we need is soldiers in full battle dress clogging up the gangways." 595 countered Vreta. "The Norse can't even stand up in here." "It is okay - I man turret instead!" Kjartan boomed over comms from somewhere on top of the vehicle. "Reminds me of home." "The soldiers can traverse the length and breadth of the rig from the outside. Or they can carefully set up in the common room on the top deck. It has easy-ish access to most exterior doors. And...you'll be pleased to know that most compartments in the rig are equipped as a transit station too. Only the power plant goes without. We'll need them for outside though." Freyr offered helpfully as they emerged from a tight corridor into a slightly larger rectangular room. Her mouth dropped open slightly. The consoles and holos in what should have been a sensory suite were stuck halfway between fully assembled and the folded down state where the rig could reconfigure the layout. Equipment jutted at strange angles from the floor and walls, jerking as the mechanisms caught repeatedly. "Richard, can you get to B2 please?" Freyr called over comms. "Nirann, are you wired in yet? Can you detect any malfunctions in the sensory suite?"</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori "On it." Nirann answered briefly, in a hurried voice. Vreta frowned as he looked around at the mechanisms, but he decided to hold on for Nirann's assessment before saying anything about it. He intended to counter with his own recommendations for their defense, but another voice soon spoke up through their comm channel: Eti'Prar, the leader of the Rothian fireteam. "We can move inside later. Until we have a full sensor sweep of the area, security personnel should keep watch on the hull. My recommendations are attached." She remarked. At the moment, the Rothian team was still outside, patrolling the outer walkways. Each of them positioned to be able to cover different angles, but also to be able to see at least one of their allies at all times so that they would be in a position to be able to quickly assist one another if needed. The file that Eti attached in her message were the basic schematics of the rig, overlaid with the recommended positions of the members of both teams. For interior positions, once they moved inside, her plan involved splitting the members of the teams strategically so that someone could reach every part of the hull quickly in an emergency, while still having overlapping fields of fire to be able to cover one another on exit. It would also prevent them from having to crowd the interior hallways, so it was altogether well thought out. As confident as Vreta might have been in his own planning capabilities, he still trusted their own soldiers to be able to lead themselves effectively. And fortunately, it also did not take too long for Nirann to get back to them on the issue he was dealing with. Although, it was rather obvious that he found some solution right away, considering that the mechanisms around them suddenly folded up into their compartments before deploying once more, this time correctly. "Got it. Just had to reset the system. I'm also on the external cameras, so I'm going to go ahead and start a sensor sweep of the surroundings now." Vreta was momentarily relieved that the problem had been solved, though he still could not help but to hold some concern. They could not afford "surprise" issues. "Good, but still run a full diagnostic on every system you start up, regardless. If there has been some kind of damage to the rig, then we'll need to call this mission off. We need everything to work right the first time. Freyr, Agent, are hiccups like that normal for equipment in the Cradle? If something about this place is introducing unexpected errors, then this becomes a lot more risky."</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang "Mmm, agreed." Thebes gave his stamp of approval for Eti'Prar's plan. Once order had been restored to the sensory suite, Freyr beamed at the people around her. "Excellent work, Nirann! Thank you." Just then, Dr Wetherall pushed through to the fore of the group. "What's the problem?" He panted. "Seems we had a glitch somewhere in the system, can you check this room out please?" Freyr asked the veteran Systems boffin before leading the way up some steep stairs to the top deck. "I don't think the rig is damaged. If we've aligned the code base, there shouldn't be any issues... It could be due to the plate we're sitting on… I remember from the recordings it lit up just before the creature grabbed the team. Might have some kind of manipular field which is interfering now…" Freyr mused, responding to Vreta's question. They entered through another blast door at the end of a short corridor at the top of the steps. The room that greeted them had a central control interface, complete with a large three dimensional holo map that was slowly populating right in front of them. Three jump seats were fixed to the walls and floor with small screens clustered around them. A single door opened at the other end of the room and another door exited on the same wall. "This is the bridge, through there is the cockpit. And the one on your right heads back to the common room." Freyr announced. Dr Lang moved to the command console just when Thebes updated them on the general channel. "Lots of movement up here now. They're smaller than the fliers we took last time. Looks like they're attracted to the lights." A few pictures came through, showing what initially just looked like the blackness of night. Then Freyr focused on the picture and could discern individual winged bodies, a bit like large bats. They were swarming together, like one being. "Interesting. Don't shoot unless they come within touching distance. And then try to capture one alive!" Freyr replied. "Now, Nirann. Any signs of life in that temple over there?" She asked after a short pause to check the equipment.</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 The Agent pulled absently at the tight blonde plait down the back of her neck. "No, i think it'll want to work very closely with you." She sent back, with a smirk on her face. "Something tells me this thing keeps its young close, unlike yourselves." A cargo droid shooed 595 off of the crate she'd sat down on. She started moving again, weaving through the throngs of people. "How are you feeling, Vreta'Sori? You've been through a lot. Do you feel anything out of the ordinary?"</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta chuckled slightly, crossing his arms as he paced back and forth near the balcony's railing. "You say that, but you haven't seen what a Rothian does when one of our children is threatened. It's less that our parents are attached to us, and more that we are attached to all of our children." Eventually, Vreta took a moment to call for a shuttle to bring him home. He would be heading home regardless of how 595 answered him, so there was no point in delaying. "Personally, I feel fine, though I don't think there can be anything 'ordinary' about having someone else's memories in your head. I remember being you. Your thoughts, emotions, sensations. I didn't notice it as much at the time, but now that I'm thinking back on it, there's all these little details that just stand out to me. The way my, or…your hair feels, your clothes brushing up against your skin, or that feeling of sweat on your brow. I always thought there would be some sort of sensation accompanying your pores secreting water, but it was just…there all of the sudden. Of course, your memories are a curiosity to me, but the important ones right now are the ones we were shown of the cephalopods. I remember being the senator, the one who made the decision to evacuate their world. Do you think you would be willing to come down here to talk? After what happened with that signal scanning us, I'd rather talk in person. Freyr will be perfectly safe up on the Barb, and I would like to figure out if there is something in our memories that will help us locate those cephalopods' world. If we could actually find their world, that would go a long way towards proving this story about the Hegemon."</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 595's skin crawled again as Vreta described parts of what was supposed to be her memory. She restrained herself from validating what the Rothian said on that front - it was still just a vision. There was nothing that could prove it was real. The Agent bit her lip as Vreta carried on. Digging down in this mystery with the squids would almost certainly compromise her mission even further. But she was starting to question even those parameters now; was it not her duty to read between the lines of Outremer's divine plan? That being said, 595 still greatly distrusted the offer of an excursion on the planet below. The entire apparatus had clearly aligned on the goal of extracting information from her. "I don't know...i kind of like it up here." she answered. "Why don't you cancel everything and come see us?"</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori "Maybe I will." Vreta commented as he was climbing into his shuttle. "You should come for a visit, though. Like I said, we can get lunch. Besides, there was something I wanted to show you. Still, it's not like I can force you to do anything. I just hope you will think on all you've seen. With what you saw, it's fair to say that you know me better right now than anyone else, except perhaps Eti's team. You're not the one in charge, I know, but that doesn't mean you're powerless. Your people don't have to stand alone." --- At the very least, the team did not experience any more complications to their plan. Every part of their plan, from the gateway's arrival at Outremer to the Object's return from its orbit of the void star, had been calculated down to the minute. The Object, which was currently slotted inside a specially-built frame with gravity thrusters for propulsion, was moved into position within its gateway's transit zone. As for the Barbarossa, it was finally cleared to move into position to transit to the larger gateway the Rothians had brought to Outremer. It was accompanied by a Rothian frigate outfitted to the Rothian science team's specifications. Though, much of the lab equipment on-board was intended to be transferred to the Rothian cruiser already on-site eventually. The science team had grown larger over the past few days as more specialized experts were assigned to join, but all of the faces that the Humans were familiar with would still be joining them. Naturally, Rareth'Jharn was given command of the Rothian contribution to the operation, and even Nirann was able to come along, in a manner of speaking. His AI core was still vital to Threria's infrastructure, and it was not practical to remotely puppet an avatar across light years. But, just as he could copy his mind to enter the Object, so too could he send a copy to join the team.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr fainted at least twice in between their last expedition inside the Object, and the proposed date of its return to Outremer. The Barb's physicians scanned her out of an abundance of caution, but found nothing wrong with her. The Rothian brain scans also came back inconclusive. Dr Lang was stressed, tired and grieving still, but those were all normal, Human responses. Freyr pushed her team as hard as she pushed herself. They had an enormous reservoir of information to make sense of from their expedition, and very little time to make an impact. She tried not to resent Nirann for forcing her to leave the Rübezahl's final uplink inside the Object. She had programmed it in secret to aggressively mine data bearing similarities to the galactic signposts left inside the Rothian DNA. Nevertheless, Freyr held out hope that something else would come up. The analysis of Human DNA hadn't yielded any clues as to the location of other Objects. The team used a second range of samples from scientists and crew members after hers had been misplaced. Dr Lang was still working as the Barbarossa's lab was stripped of anything the team might need while operating from Outremer again. Technicians and academics flitted about her as she stared intently at the map they'd started to draw of the Object's innards. Freyr was so engrossed that she jumped when Dr Wetherall placed a hand on her shoulder. "Time to pack your things, Freyr. We're going through the gateway now, won't be long until we're home." "Mmmm. Fine." Freyr admitted absently, waving him away.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta was some distance behind Freyr, halfway across the room. The form of a brightly-colored Rothian woman loomed over her, watching her screen from over her shoulder. Though, of course, Vreta was the only one to see her. "You're actually worried about her." Rhia remarked. By this point, Vreta had grown accustomed to avoiding giving any reaction to Rhia that an onlooker might notice. "Even I've noticed that she doesn't seem to be in a good place. Sure, all of this does have me worried, but it's a lot more…personal for her." "Yes, yes, that much is obvious. I wasn't wondering why she was upset. I was wondering why it bothers you." Vreta grunted…mentally, at least. "What, are you not programmed to feel sympathy? I thought you were an AI, not glorified software." Rhia's avatar quickly re-appeared just beside him. "I can feel sympathy just fine. Sometimes it's just better to stay detached on a mission." Vreta pushed himself away from the support column he was leaned against. "Well, you can just 'detach' yourself from my field of view. We're about to traverse, and things will probably move quick once we're there." From the perspective of those inside the ship, away from any viewport, there was nothing at all to hint at the activation of the gateway. It warped spacetime to the point of punching a hole through it to a point many light years away, but from the perspective of the ship, they simply…arrived. The gateway had been brought into orbit around a gas giant in the same system as Outremer, though the Object itself would have been sent straight to the planet itself. The counterpart to the much smaller gateway it had used had already been assembled near to the Cradle, so an Outremer team could handle the start of its arrival. The Barbarossa and the Rothian frigate would not be far behind. Already they were calculating their jumps, so it would only be a few moments to their destination. It would take much longer to actually get down to the surface from orbit. Finally, Vreta approached close enough behind Freyr to be noticed. Provided she was paying attention. "Need any help packing? I'm sure you don't want to keep the shuttle waiting."</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr almost didn't respond to Vreta. His words ran down her neck like warm rain, completely unnoticeable until they hit a dry patch. After a couple of seconds, she looked up and turned slightly to look at the Rothian. The feedback loop in her mind replayed his question to her. "Oh, thank you. That's very kind, but I think I can manage." She smiled at him distractedly, then sighed. "It seems we're in the middle of a labyrinth, Vreta'Sori. Every step we take just seems to muddle the way through even further. And now, we're introducing the biggest change to the Cradle's conditions in potentially millions of years, and I'm still not clear on what exactly will happen. I was close to piecing some things together in the simulation, but now we're out of time...How do you feel about re-entering the Cradle, after what happened last time?"</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 They met back up with 595 and most of the other suits at the chrome security checkpoint guarding access to the Mono. Freyr knew that name was out of date now; they'd replaced the old mono with a dual-rail gimbal system a hundred years ago, but all efforts to change the name had failed. Dr Wetherall never failed to gleefully retell that story after a couple of drinks. The Agent smiled with a tightly closed mouth, spreading her hands slightly to welcome them, pistol still grasped in one of them. "Safe and sound. Is this everyone?" She asked Thrace. "Some of my team are still in the HQ, to avoid concentrating everyone in one place." Freyr answered for him, stepping forwards. "They need protection tonight, while we do this." 595 nodded, then flicked her free hand at one of the suits standing by. "Double security up there - no police." "Wilco." Some of the suits set off along the bright white corridor at a fast walk. 595 watched them go, then grinned at the assembled group. "Alright. Let's get this party started, shall we? The rails are live all the way downstairs." The Agent turned and led the way through the checkpoint. Behind the checkpoint was a cavernous tunnel, half polished metal and half ancient rock. A faint breeze ruffled Freyr's hair from inside, like the breath of some mountain dragon. She buttoned up her lab coat - it was cold down below.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta kept quiet while Freyr spoke to the Agent. It was not his place to advise on security. That would not normally stop him, granted, but in this case, he did not know nearly enough about the facility to have a helpful opinion. For now, he would just have to keep sharp and aware of his surroundings. As he followed the group through the checkpoint, Rhia held off on trying to access any of the security systems in the area. Heading into the more secure areas of the spire, unsurprisingly, was accompanied by more secure systems. Rhia had little doubt that she could break through, but it was not something she wanted to do lightly. She would just have to settle for Vreta's sensory implants. As strange as the Cradle itself was, the inside of the Spire almost felt stranger to Vreta, in a way. At its core, it was a massive stone structure, but with the Humans' own technology integrated seamlessly into its architecture. He had to admit that they had done well with adapting their own creations into the original structure. Part of him wondered why they had not preserved it as an archeological site of an alien civilization. It was not as if they had not done so for other ruins on other worlds, but he supposed he already knew the answer to that. The Cradle buried underneath made this place quite exceptional. The cavernous expanse past the checkpoint was in closer to its original state than the levels above, though that was likely just because they did not need to use the space when others were easier to build in. Still, it was an impressive sight that gave sense to the scale of the spire, even from within. Vreta felt a chill against his scales as he stepped into the monorail, which he noted had two rails, for some reason. He might have normally made some comment about it, but recent events made lighthearted conversation seem like something in poor taste at the moment. The air was fine for now, though if the temperature dropped too much, he would need to rely on his thermal implant to maintain his internal temperature. He took a seat without complaint inside the sphere-shaped transport. He had done a great deal these last few weeks, but at this point, all there really was left for him was to wait and see what happened with the object.</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 Despite all the stress of the last few hours, the team stared, awestruck, around them as they walked out of the thick entryway and into the main area. The Tower of Babel was completely hollow, with a yawning expanse over their heads towards the peak and a jet-black abyss below. The deafening quiet was punctured only by the clack of their shoes and claws. An array of sensors mounted on top of a control room perched off to one side of the hole scanned the group. Freyr briefly looked and saw a technician in a white uniform at the distant controls within the brightly lit cockpit, flanked by two suited spooks with guns. More floodlights came on at that point, and gasps erupted from the group. The whole interior surface of Babel was pockmarked with ancient alien dwellings, carved from the rock. Little windows looked out onto crumbling stone terraces facing each other around the whole diameter. Freyr knew that analysis of the dwellings indicated the species which'd inhabited Babylon before them extended to just over a metre, with six legs and wings. Hardly any organic matter had been found to substantiate these creatures, and that only stretched up to a hundred thousand years before Humans arrived. As they traversed the walkway jutting out over the hole below, Freyr noticed the dual-rail system fondly dubbed the Mono. It burst out of the depths below, with rails carrying on all the way to the top, with a junction stopping at the end of the walkway. As she watched, a giant transparent orb arrived at their station along the subsidiary rails, and the doors unfurled towards them. 595 motioned with her head and the half-dozen suits that still surrounded them got in. The orb closed back up and promptly retreated back down into the depths. Not long after, a second orb appeared, and 595 motioned for the scientists to get in. "Have half your men take the next one." The Agent ordered Thrace, who nodded and picked them. 595 gestured encouragingly towards the vessel. Freyr and Vreta led the science team in - they were followed by half a dozen CraSec operators and the Agent, which made the space quite tight. Freyr sat down and fastened herself into one of the seats facing outwards, next to Vreta. "Impressive, right? They seemingly built their entire civilisation around the Cradle, just like we have." Freyr murmured - anything was better than this uneasy silence. 595 gave the control room a thumbs up, and the orb dropped silently away from the platform, taking them into the depths of Babel.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Once again, Vreta had to contend with squeezing into a seat too small for him. Agent 595 and the rest of their security detail were not prioritizing comfort when they filled the vessels, and rightly so. Protecting them from any potential threats around them certainly took precedence. Vreta had to lean back in his seat and pull his tail up between his legs just to avoid crowding the people to his left and right too much. It felt as awkward as it looked, but he did want to be considerate to them. To his understanding, Humans had a concept of "personal space" and could become agitated if it was infringed upon. Vreta turned his head down briefly towards Freyr beside him, though his gaze soon moved outwards towards the ruins as their vessel moved down deeper into the spire. He could not say he was an expert on the history of this place, but he had at least looked into publicly-available information during his study of Outremer. The vast chamber and the designs of the dwellings carved into its sides were fitting for the type of species theorized to have lived here. Though, there were details that Vreta did find curious. Construction based primarily around carving and stonework suggested a more primitive culture, yet why would a primitive civilization base themselves so completely around the Cradle? For any society without the technology to access the simulation itself, the Cradle would be little more than a strange metal sphere. He supposed he could imagine it becoming an object of religious significance, in that case, but he was not sure if even that would be enough to explain how focused those ancients had been on the Cradle. Only very small settlements had been discovered elsewhere on the planet; the majority of their populated seemed to have been here. "I wonder if they were more advanced than their dwellings would suggest? I cannot imagine the Cradle being terribly useful to primitives…unless the Cradle could reach out to them in some way?" Vreta speculated. "Has there ever been any compelling evidence to point towards the reason for their disappearance?"</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr stared out of the transparent side of the sphere as they plumbed the depths of the tower. Nearer to the spire's base, the buildings became bigger and more communal, with more elaborate carvings. Freyr remembered reading that these structures were far older - the stratification of the tower had only emerged in the final thousand years this species was around. Going significantly faster than normal, their sphere reached the bottom of the tower before slowly leveling out. They were no longer headed straight down, but rather through a large horizontal tunnel, with more alien structures all around them. Floor, walls and ceiling. The dual-rail system carefully tiptoed through the middle. Freyr gazed longingly at the sheer metal bulwarks that closed off causeways to unused parts of the ancient city. For a fleeting moment, escaping into the dark seemed like quite an attractive prospect. She coughed delicately. "They created the proto-harnesses which form the basis of today's tech. The first colonists found three of them in the Cradle's chamber, hundreds of years ago. Where they went is a subject of eternal debate." "Mama used to tell me they were still alive, hiding in the dead parts of their city." Dr Apalkov growled. "And that they'd come and take me in my sleep if I didn't eat the food she cooked."</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 Like so many things on Outremer, the trucks waiting to take them to the Vault were not designed for Rothians. This was especially true for the Datius, who ended up sitting awkwardly on the floor of the eight-wheeled transport. The vehicle was meant for twenty four Humans, but only five other people joined Rareth in the back: Vreta, Freyr, the CraSec officer who coyly reintroduced herself as Major Osman from the Cradle bomb investigation, 595 and the bald Vault Facilitator. As soon as they sat down in the lead truck, it powered away from the Mono terminal and through the bustling command complex. The inside shook violently on the uneven ground, with Osman nearly flying into Rareth with a worried expression flashing across her face. She managed to grab hold of a hoop at the last moment and stashed her weapon so she could grab one more. Freyr was pleased to see Osman again. She was a sort-of-friendly face in an otherwise uncertain sea of people. "Four, six hours, maybe? This might be our last chance to collect data, so we can't rush it." Freyr reiterated. "We will get an indication of the Object's condition once it begins interacting with our dummy array. It'll be perfectly safe, while we try to piece together what will happen next." "Don't make any sudden moves in here, Agent." The Facilitator remained completely motionless while talking to 595, who sat next to him. "Naval Intelligence, the Skinners, the Rothians, Earther scum - they're all trying to crawl up your ass to learn our next move. You can keep a secret, can't you? Just like you're keeping secrets from us about your latest interface with the Navigator." 595 turned her head to look at the man, who returned her stare. "Nice try. My report was comprehensive." She replied.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori "Hmm, I suppose you are more of an expert on this particular subject than I. My instinct would be to start this process as soon as possible, I simply hope the Object does not do anything…unexpected. There is much we do not know about it." Vreta remarked, though he reasoned that his feelings on the Object were well-known among the team by this point. Rareth did not give her opinion, whatever it might have been. Her expression was quite impenetrable, even to Vreta. He did notice the worry in one of the Humans' expression when looking at her, though that may have just been because she wanted to avoid smashing into her once their ride became more bumpy. On Rareth's part, her mass gave her substantial inertia, so she just had to keep one hand pressed to the roof to keep herself in place. In any case, Vreta quickly compared the image of Major Osman's face to examples from his memory once he heard her name. He had thought it sounded familiar. "Osman, it is good to see you fully recovered. Though, I suppose the Cradle does not leave any permanent marks, as long as you survive the initial injury. I would say that I'm surprised you're willing to go back into the Cradle after what we went through, but…here I am about to do the exact same thing. I suppose we're both just a little crazy." Vreta chuckled.</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 "Relax, champ! Let the good doctor do her work, eh? The asset is snug like a bug in a rug, as they say." The Facilitator smacked Vreta's knee heartily from across the aisle. 595 chuckled. "There's nothing to fear, we've made sure of it." He continued. Freyr stared at the two of them. Were they a couple?...Perish the thought. Osman inclined her head in a polite gesture. "Thanks. I needed therapy, but I'm in fighting shape now. Someone has to keep the lights on, don't they?" She gave off a haunted grin. "My sub-unit will protect you while you're inside the Cradle, and get you out again if things go sideways. Just a warning though - New Antioch is a ghost town right now, so bring whoever you'll need to pull levers with you. Any questions?"</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta did not seem nearly as amused as the bald man. Given his likely associations, his confidence was more unsettling than reassuring. He did not immediately understand his gesture, so he ignored it for now. "This is your planet I am concerned for. I am just trying my best to help keep it and its inhabitants safe. It is wise to search for flaws in one's own plans." As much as he wanted to learn about the man, Vreta doubted he was going to be able to gain any meaningful information. Continuing down that line of conversation would likely just be a waste of effort. He soon turned his attention to Osman instead. "I will make sure to keep that in mind. I'm guessing you know that my people like to be particularly thorough in our preparations. Some of what we have encountered in this project…our preparations have paid off before. Have you been able to read the reports of events on Rothia, Osman?" Vreta asked.</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 "Those which weren't covered in black bars." Osman purred. "The Cradle is less predictable now than when you left. We will need to keep our wits about us, and look out for each other. Like you two did for me, back when this all began. Thank you for not leaving me to die, by the way. I won't forget that." "Why did you attach her to these two? They have history." 595 asked her counterpart. "I didn't - she volunteered. Why...are you expecting problems?" "Maybe. I don't want them making more friends. Run a background check on the Major; i'll keep an eye on them in the sim." "Before you go in, the DG wants to talk to you about next steps. We need to be prepared to move fast. Do you know where the other assets are?" "You don't need to know anything about that." "If you're withholding information, there'll be very serious questions to answer" 595 didn't reply. The truck bounced one more time, before rumbling to a halt. The doors opened, and they exited out into a vehicle park outside a low building that hugged three bottom edges of the cube. Freyr's neck twinged looking up to the top, and her eyes flickered across the lifts that scaled the faces with people inside. The Vault itself was a shiny chrome colour, with darker shades indicating access plates. "The rest of the team is already inside. Shall we join them?" The Facilitator asked. Freyr nodded.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta nodded, his memory briefly returning to the start of this crisis. The first encounter with those creatures in the Cradle had been a slaughter. The weapons they used were ineffective against the toughest creatures, and none of them had been prepared for that kind of a fight. Himself least of all. This time, though, they would be going in equipped for war, and any other circumstance they could reasonably, or unreasonably, think of. He had to assume the Humans were doing the same. The Cradle was inherently unpredictable, but they were expecting to have to be adaptable this time. "Let's just hope that the people we have already lost will be the last to die to this crisis. If all goes well, this will be over soon. If not…let's just be prepared for anything." Once they had came to a stop, Rareth was the first to climb out without a word, which made it considerably easier to maneuver out of the back of the truck. She was a comforting presence for Vreta, but the quality of life issues he faced on Outremer were magnified for her tenfold. Regardless, they were at the vault now and would soon be able to get to work. Looking up at the chromed surface of the cube, Vreta did find the vault to be impressive for a Human construct. They put their best into anything related to the Cradle, which certainly underscored its importance to them. "Yes, let's hurry. I still think we should avoid any delays we can."</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang They all trooped into the Vault access building. It acted as a control centre for all signals interacting with and being extracted from the Cradle, and more recently, the new asset found on Rothia. It was buzzing with activity, as hundreds of people worked to maintain the Vault's unique homeostasis. The Facilitator led them through the fray to a set of heavy blast doors down a narrow corridor, guarded by half a dozen heavily-armoured CraSec troopers and two drone-cannons. Sensors scanned the group one by one from all around, filling the air with green lasers. "Ordinarily, weapons are not allowed inside the Vault. But since our esteemed Rothian guests are part-weapon, we've decided to make an exception just this once." The Facilitator pontificated before the blast doors swished open. Freyr walked into the airlock along with some others and raised her arms. Decontamination jets sprayed them from all angles, but Freyr's gaze was fixed straight ahead of her. The next few hours could determine the fate of Outremer, did she really have what it took? Could she trust herself to stand by her oath to champion the greater good? No one appeared prepared to stop her if she couldn't. The opposite door of the airlock hissed open, and the first group walked out into the lab. Nestled on the inside of the Vault's thick mechanical skin, Freyr smiled when she caught sight of team members she hadn't seen in weeks. They were similarly busy to the people outside, scurrying between banks of consoles under sickly blue light. CraSec guards and suits carrying close-quarter rifles were everywhere, watching on. Freyr's mouth dropped open involuntarily when her gaze shifted to the large, incredibly thick viewing port on one wall. It afforded them an uncomfortably close view of the Rothian Object, which hung eerily suspended inside the staging area. Like the feed Freyr had seen earlier, it was so black that light didn't reveal its spherical nature; rather it appeared as a black hole in the wall behind it. A low humming sound trickled through the speakers listening to it. "She's a beauty, ain't she?" The Facilitator cooed, walking around Freyr. "Dear gods." Dr Wetherall muttered from behind her.</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang "I can't sanction that." Freyr shook her head immediately. "The Cradle is nothing like the Rothia Sim for AIs - it's utterly unforgiving. However advanced you think you are, it will find a way to consume you. We can't risk it. I'm sorry." "Power expenditure rising!" Someone called out. Freyr's gaze snapped away from Nirann immediately and identified who was reporting in. "Show me." She commanded, moving quickly across the blue-lit room to a long row of consoles facing the Object's porthole. The young researcher pulled up a larger graph showing energy the Object was deploying inside its hermetic chamber. It was still tiny by comparison to the Cradle, but its effort was tightly controlled, and no longer seemed intent on the dummy array. "It's sniffing the partition again. How does it know where the Cradle is?" They speculated, incredulous. Absolutely no signals from the Cradle could escape the confines of the Vault. The only way out for its emissions was through the nest of filters and comms equipment on the top face. "It's much cleverer than all of us." Freyr concluded, poring over the details. "The engineers just sent their report; they can't keep the doors closed indefinitely." Dr Wetherall shot Freyr a serious stare from across the room. She nodded. "The countermeasures were worth a shot, but I'm afraid we need to go in right away." Freyr straightened up, levelling a troubled look at Marae before and clapping her hands loudly. "Ok listen up!" She shouted over a growing hum from machinery built into the walls and floors all around them. "I'm our timeline forward. Get set for doors open in one hour! Those of you entering the Cradle with me, be ready in the Green Room in five! Facilitator, inform upstairs to initiate the Sliske protocol, right now." The bald man, sweating a bit, nodded before grabbing a hardline and began keying in a passcode immediately Freyr then turned back to Marae. "Can you hold things down here while I go in?"</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Nirann was about to argue with Freyr. In terms of the structure of his mind, there was not much to separate him from the average Rothian. If the Cradle could corrupt his mind, then it could corrupt any organic mind as well. If he was being honest with himself, he worried that might have been true. In any case, the alerts that their sensors were receiving from the object put an end to his argument before he could start it. The Object was not going to wait on them to make their decision. He understood as well as any of them that they needed to act quickly, and whether he was right or not, they could not afford to waste time with the discussion. He could still have plenty of impact directing their systems externally. If he could breathe, he would have sighed, but did give a slight nod towards Marae. "We'll be able to handle things here. We'll stay in communications as much as we can, and we'll be sending you in with all the portable equipment we've developed during this project. And again, I do hope you consider enabling my protocols. Ideally none of you will need them, but…well, it can't hurt, right?" Marae replied. Vreta actually found himself feeling proud of Freyr for how she was taking charge, despite all the uncertainty surrounding the situation. Even with his own misgivings about the plan, he was ready to follow through with it. He stood by Freyr, ready to move to the Green Room as soon as someone told him where that was. Freyr's orders were all Eti and her team needed to spring into action as well. Given the chaos ever since their landing, the Human and Rothian teams had not been given much of a chance to coordinate, so they may have been unaware that Rareth was assigning the Rothian soldiers to the mission as well. Her armored footsteps echoed even more loudly through the room than Nirann's had. "My team stands ready. Just point us where to go."</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 Freyr smiled, pathetically grateful for Marae's calming demeanor. It felt like right now, she was at the tip of a titanic spear, moving wildly of its own volition. With the Sliske protocol now being activated, she knew Outremer's entire infrastructure would rapidly be locked down in preparation for potential volatility. This highly choreographed chain of events had been planned by Outremer's civil service at breakneck speed over the last few months. Freyr briefly regretted not ringing President DeWinter herself, to plead again for an evacuation. She wondered where the head of the government was right now. In a bunker somewhere, dealing with a bombing and potential disintegration of Outreman society? Contemplating martial law? It didn't matter now. She had her instructions, and the authority. She just had to do her best now. "Yes, thank you. We'll use them." Freyr replied to Marae. "The Facilitator will know the Vault inside out, I presume. Use him if you need him. Let's keep comms tight, alright?" She turned to look at the Rothian soldiers taking up space in her already crowded command centre. "Osman, would you take these guys to the Green Room please? Get them settled in. You two as well." Freyr looked at 595 and Vreta'Sori at this point. 595 looked at the Facilitator, who was currently still on the phone. "There's no time for that call with the DG. Let him know I'll come in once the dust has settled here. Proceed with the plan until then." The bald man glared at her. "Alright. Don't screw this up." 595 nodded in response. The Green room was long, thin and tight, with a belt of extremely robust vertical harnesses facing an equally thin observation room through a thick glass screen. 595 applied the same dark red clay to her face in a spiral pattern, starting in the divot between her nose and upper lip. She then let the technicians connect her up to her harness next to Vreta and Osman. Her mind was racing underneath the calm exterior. It was finally happening. "This is history in the making, girls and boys." She announced over the thunderous background noise. "Let's put on a show." Freyr walked in, having made last-minute preparations with her team, and got secured. "Good luck everyone." she transmitted, just before the harnesses initiated.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta was as ready as he was ever going to be. Eti as well gathered up the other four members of her team. Now that they did not have power to be concerned about, she could bring in her fireteam at its full strength. Whatever might happen, Vreta did feel more comfortable having them present to help. From his understanding, the Humans already had their own security present in the simulation, but they could act as a force multiplier if the Cradle creatures they encountered before showed themselves again. The Green Room had already been prepared with the Rothians' harnesses, so there were no more delays. It was at least more comfortable than trying to use a setup sized for a Human; he doubted soldiers like Eti would even be able to fit on the table of a Human's harness. Comfort aside, using their own designs was also the only way they could be sure they could keep the designs of their technology secure. --- From Vreta's perspective, leaving reality came suddenly as soon as the harnesses were initiated. The transition was smoother into the Cradle than it had been for the Object on Rothia, though they had the benefit of centuries of Human refinement on that process. Even once they resolved the language issue, there were some minor differences in the Object's processes that could make such transitions a bit jarring. Still, even if he had been feeling worse, Vreta would have pushed himself through regardless. Now that they were in the simulation, only Vreta's size set him apart from the Rothian soldiers around him. They had all been given full suits of powered armor and military-grade infantry weapons. It wasn't the first time Vreta had worn this armor even in recent memory, but it still felt strange to him to have cause to use it. One thing he was sure of was that it felt amazing just to move around in the suit, particularly with how it could assist movement. For proper soldiers, its shield emitters could link with energy shield implants in the soldier's own body to further enhance its defensive properties. Vreta lacked such implants, though the suit's defenses were still more than formidable on their own. Once Rhia linked in with the suit's systems, its silver-colored plating could become like a second skin to him to eliminate any potential detriments to agility or dexterity. The location to which the team had transited was the city of New Antioch, though it hardly felt like a city any longer. The buildings still stood, mostly as they had been left, but without its former inhabitants, it was more like a town of ghosts. Vreta still vividly remembered the attack he had suffered during his last visit to the city, and how suddenly it had all happened. It was like a switch was flipped, and the creatures were all around them. For now, though, the only beings around them on their arrival were the Human soldiers. The transit station at which they had arrived was now more of a military checkpoint, with fortifications in all directions and more than enough soldiers to guard them.</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang They were in one corner of Foundation Square; a large paved area surrounding an urban park. The statue of Outremer's first colonists raising a flag together emerged from the tree line. New Antioch was still brightly lit from above by large floodlights. The golden domes and spires still stood. But Freyr couldn't make out any of the city's usual hustle and bustle. The purposeful movement of staff between the ancient buildings had been replaced by a febrile mass of soldiers out on the street. Freyr checked that her team had logged in and were feeling alright. She'd brought in Dr Wetherall and his understudy as Systems experts, and the promising young researcher Dr Girard. She was confident they could all be trusted to follow instructions. If the worst came, they'd have the best chance of holding the creature flat while she struck the killer blow. Hopefully it wouldn't come to that, but it was best to be prepared for anything. "Okay, attention please." Osman strode over to a map table and projected a hologram of the city in 3D. "We've secured the places each team needs to go. There are two convoys waiting outside to get you in position." The map showed two arrows, one red and one blue, winding through the streets before arriving at two separate buildings. "Dr Lang, I will ride with you. Sergeant Thrace will ride with Dr Wetherall. Once your work is complete, we will exfil via this same checkpoint, or secure secondary locations." Osman put a hand on her chestplate. "Our role is to keep you alive, so please follow all our instructions." Major Osman turned to the squad of Rothians. "We weren't told about Rothian support. What do you want to do?"</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Osman threw Freyr back into the checkpoint's transit station and keyed in an emergency extraction from a nearby panel. Nothing happened. The rending squeal issuing from all around them ceased as quickly as it had begun. Activating comms out loud so everyone could hear, Osman called the Bridge District. "Theta Company, report!". Heavily distorted shouts and warbles answered her. "Come in!". "These things love running interference, don't they?" Dr Wetherall whined, massaging the back of his head while struggling to his feet. Osman ignored him. "The transit network is down, and comms are funny…" She looked at the map again, refreshing the energy chart. Massive ripples ringed the Bridge, with other smaller hotspots all over the city. "Thrace, get down there right away. They need help. Take them with you. We stick to the mission!" Osman ordered. The gruff, grey-haired soldier saluted, before grabbing Dr Wetherall and his understudy. He motioned for Void Company to follow him out of the tent. Osman marched back to the transit station, where Freyr had stood up and was staggering weakly towards her. Osman grabbed the Doctor and held her up. "Vreta'Sori, Dr Girard, take the Agent out to the convoy. Move!" The Agent in question was on all fours by the map table, just finished with throwing up a small puddle of viscous liquid.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Rhia did everything she could to help get Vreta ready and alert as quickly as she could. Her understanding and control of his brain allowed her to dull his headache, as well as manipulating his adrenal response and nanites to get him moving quickly. Of course, fighting nature usually came at a cost, but it was up to her to make sure he never felt it. They had the mission ahead of them, and at this point, no choice but to complete it. Following Osman's direction, Vreta approached Agent 595 at the map table. While Dr. Girard did seem ready and willing to help, Vreta found it far easier to simply reach down, grab her carefully under her shoulders and legs, and lift her up into his arms himself. Her armor added weight, but not so much that it would be difficult for him to carry her. Weight efficiency was as much of a design consideration for Humans as it was for Rothians, after all. Vreta quickly carried the Agent with him into the back of one of the convoy's armored vehicles. It was an even more cramped space than the monorail for him as he had to keep hunched over at all times just to fit his head under the roof, and no matter how he angled his knees they still dug into the seat in front of him. This time, though, his mind barely registered such inconveniences. Void Company, meanwhile, had even more urgency to their mission now. The Bridge was the most likely means by which they could regain their full connection to the outside world, so reclaiming control over it was vital. None of the five even bothered to attempt to use one of the smaller armored vehicle, instead moving straight to ride on the outside of one of the tanks. "Mar, keep your head on a swivel." Eti remarked as they climbed up onto the vehicle. For an infantry-portable system, her sensory suite was second-to-none, though based on the reports they had read, danger could come in unexpected forms within these simulations. They could not ignore anything that might become a threat.</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 Since the Cradle had never permitted flight over a certain altitude, the area colonised by Humans had a road network more reminiscent of Earth than Outremer. The last six months had re-energised a military industrial complex previously engrossed by spaceships to deliver first-class land vehicles for CraSec. The convoys waiting to take the teams in different directions used state of the art hover-mobility. Instead of wheels, the vehicles had powerful magnetic emitters which kept them just a few feet off the road. Freyr almost didn't realise they were vehicles in her groggy state. Even the tanks at either end of the column were almost completely silent. She let Osman chuck her into the back of an armoured car, next to Dr Girard and behind Vreta and Agent 595. The Major then jogged around the back and got into the opposite passenger seat. "Ok, allons'y! Package secure. Callsign Tangier, you have a green light to proceed." With just a gentle hum, the convoy began powering forwards out of the checkpoint. Osman checked the clock on her HUD. They were running behind schedule already. She turned around in her seat to check out the passengers behind her. "Everybody alright? There is water in the door compartment." 595 leaned forward and threw up again on her armoured feet. She followed up by spitting out a wad of phlegm, then wiping her mouth. "It's kicking my butt, what was that?" Dr Girard pulled the stopper out of one of the water bottles and placed it in Freyr's shaking hands. "We talked about this as a possibility; that the Cradle and the Object could communicate through us in a more immediate way, like neurons moving through a synapse. You all went inside the Object on Rothia, correct?" The convoy took a sharp right, heading off the square and onto one of New Antioch's main artery roads. Freyr drank deeply from the bottle, then, feeling hot, she poured some on her upturned face. She wasn't listening to anyone in the car; she was still trying to figure out the voice, or feeling, that'd washed over her in those few seconds back in the tent. Why did it feel so familiar?</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta's helmet did make it easier for him to hide his general discomfort. It felt hard to concentrate, though Rhia could certainly help mitigate the physical issues he was feeling. Yet again, they were facing consequences of the unknowns they were being forced to work with. There was far more recklessness in many of the plans they had gone through with than he would ever normally be comfortable with, were he the one making the decisions. At the very least, Vreta could still focus enough to pay attention to what was being said around him. Could the Object be responsible for this, or was it something within the Cradle? Dr. Girard suggested the Object might be able to communicate with the Cradle in some way using their own minds. It was a possibility, through Vreta could imagine other scenarios where such advanced objects could bypass conventional barriers. It was a less worrying possibility, though unfortunately, not one that Vreta found especially likely. "Hmm, I don't know the specifications of your vault, but I have to assume it is able to be…sealed against any type of signal known to you. I wouldn't expect you to put any…less than your best into it." Vreta remarked, still catching his breath somewhat. "I suppose there may be possibilities that our minds may not be the vector. What might work over short distances…quantum tunneling, perhaps? Though, manipulating probability fields to force tunneling across more than a few nanometers is quite a difficult task. A wormhole, perhaps on a microscopic scale, could also accomplish the same thing. The risk of causing damage with one of that scale would be minimal, even if opening it blind. Still, your proposal does seem the most likely. I just wonder what message has been sent?"</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Dr Girard nodded in general agreement, leaning forward to poke her head through the gap in the seats. "We really are in uncharted territory now, so all possibilities must remain on the table. As for what they said, we all know the Cradle and the Rothian Object are prolific data managers. They could've 'said' everything that's happened in all our lifetimes, including minute detail on the last six hours...Are you alright? You sound breathless." "Tangier Two, come in, over." Osman said out loud from the front. No reply. "GCHQ, what's your status, over?" A painful screech and warble blasted the inside of the car. "GCHQ, we're getting a lot of interference this end, please repeat." Osman said, before turning to face Vreta. "Try your friends." "We really need to figure out a better way to communicate. Both of these environments seem to block radio signals at will." Freyr mumbled to herself, nursing her head. Suddenly, the driver swore and swerved to avoid someone running out in front of them. Freyr and Dr Girard both shouted in fright. Gunfire erupted from the grand entranceway to one of the blocks on their left. "They're here! Help us!" The runner screamed.</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr's apprehension grew as they scaled another set of stairs towards the top floor. The whole building felt like it was raring to get up and move on its own; a low hum vibrated the inside of her head like they were underwater. The stairwell was pitch black, so she relied heavily on her suit's night vision to see where she was going. She could just make out scattered debris and bloodstains on the steps in front of her. Freyr focused on breathing in and out, trying to remain level-headed. They'd made it this far, hadn't they? In no small part due to her armed escort. She was grateful to them, even if they scared her too sometimes. The next floor was also full of operations workspace. They fanned out slightly. Freyr rushed over to one of the blood stained GCHQ staffers as soon as she spotted them. Their sallow complexion shone with sweat in the flickering light of the monitors in front of them. "Hey, can you hear me?" Freyr asked, peeling back her suit visor so they could see her face. "It's alright, we're going to get you some help, we…" Freyr's voice tailed off when she noticed what was on screen. It looked like camera footage from someone's eyes, looking at an angry but elegantly dressed woman shouting at them from across a wide kitchen table. Sound trickled out of the console's speakers, which Freyr strained to hear. "What are you doing? That's my gun! What is this?" The woman pointed to something off screen. The camera panned until a man with white hair and olive skin appeared, holding a pistol upside down by the trigger guard with his pinkie. "You're a potential suicide risk." the man said, apologetically. "How did you find that?!" The woman shouted at him. She turned to the camera. "How did he find that?!" "Selene." another woman's voice warned, from behind the camera. "No! No! Okay! This meeting's now over! I want you both out of here, right now!" Freyr looked up, blinking to clear her rapidly blurring eyesight. The pressure in her head was getting really uncomfortable. Meeting rooms branched off from this wide street, and the usual conference tables were juxtaposed with strange scenes, all viewed as though eyes or imagined inside someone's head. Lurid colours seemed to generate their own light in the darkness. "Selene…" "No! He has been snooping around my house!" Doctor Shearing, I want to sign off here today! I want to let you get on that starship! But you have gotta help us out! I need to know that you are calm and safe before I leave here, and I need to know that you understand the rules before you go to Earth. Please, just…please, sit down. And let us get through our questions." The woman looked torn, for a moment. Freyr wiped her eyes, leaning in. Finally, they responded. "Okay." The elegant woman headed to the chair at the head of the kitchen table, that the camera woman had gestured. The camera looked at Gene and nodded. Connie reached over and grabbed the GCHQ staffer out of their chair with one arm. The monitors all went black. "Wait...moving them might-" Freyr mumbled. Connie gave the unresponsive person a hard slap across the face. Instead of waking up, they crumpled to the floor.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Sharing a mind as they did, Vreta and Rhia also shared the discomfort of whatever was happening around them. It was not quite what he would describe as a headache, though it was no more comfortable than that. His mind was "busy", like he was constantly in intense thought, but was not experiencing any of the thoughts himself. What Rhia felt was even more bizarre, without even considering what the group as a whole was witnessing. The Human staffers were alive, but quite clearly incapacitated. None of them even acknowledged the team as they moved through the building. Freyr was the one who stopped to try and help one of them, but they were no more responsive even with interacted with directly. The scene that played out on the monitors looked and felt like some of the memories that had been forced into their own mind. It perhaps could have been one of the staffer's own memories, displayed for all to see, for reasons Vreta did not understand. The distinguishing features of one of the Humans in the memory looked an awful lot like one of the Humans who had joined them, Gene. Was the woman just projecting what she saw around her onto the memory, or had he actually been present for it? Regardless, Connie's attempt to move the staffer did not seem to help. As for the memory itself, Vreta did not have the context to truly understand its meaning, but this woman had clearly gone through something taxing to her mental health, and perhaps something relating to the Human homeworld. "We…need to keep moving." Vreta finally remarked. "We can't afford the delay. Maybe once we get to our objective, we'll be able to help all these people at once?" Unfortunately, no matter which direction they went, they would not be able to avoid the bizarre occurrences around them. As they started to pass one nearby room, Vreta's eye caught something even he could not ignore through the glass. It was a memory, like the staffer's, though not one that was as "clear." It was also not one of the Humans'. The scene played out with just a few people and objects projected from the memory itself, while all of the office's furniture was still visible, but ignored. There was a Rothian, medical gantry in the middle of the room, slightly phased into an office table on the far end. Strangely, it was not a Rothian on the gantry, but rather a Rothian security droid. Quite an old model, by appearances. Slowly, the droid sat up, while a male Rothian looked on taking notes. He looked like he was speaking, but strangely, the words they heard were muffled and mostly indistinct. With some direction from the Rothian, the droid held out one hand towards a device next to the gantry, though its focus seemed elsewhere. When its hand drew close enough, the device delivered a small electric shock to one of its fingers, and unlike a normal droid, its hand actually recoiled on reflex. There were more muffled words from the Rothian observing that grew louder and louder until, finally, they came in clearly. "Agent! Are you listening? I understand this is a lot at once, but it's important that I know how it feels." He said firmly. The droid looked down at its hand, clenching and opening it a few times. "Like it's mine."</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr was having a really hard time seeing straight as they stumbled through the vast operations space. It seemed the only things that weren't wobbling uncontrollably were memories or visions playing out all around them; they were becoming clearer by the second. The rest of the space felt like something out of a dream to her, blurred and intangible. Freyr was vaguely aware of the team around her - they appeared to be struggling as well. Gene put a hand out for a desk to lean on, misjudged it and crashed over, knocking things onto the floor. He rolled over and looked at Freyr, and instantly she was back in the kitchen she'd seen earlier. She was on the opposite side of the table, beside the elegantly dressed woman. Across the table she recognised Connie, gesturing to a seat at the head of the table and nodding encouragingly. "Okay." This 'Doctor Shearing' sighed, moving to sit down. Gene followed her, gun balanced on his pinkie finger. Connie smiled down on the doctor when she got comfortable, then her smile faded. She nodded at Gene, and he moved forward. Quickly, they trapped Dr Shearing's feet against the thin wooden legs of the chair and grabbed a wrist each. She shouted, confused. "Get off! What is this?!" Connie looked over at Gene above the struggling woman. "Ready?" "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" "Close." Freyr heard, as the man prised open Dr Shearing's hand and placed the gun in her palm, pointed straight up. "Set?" Connie asked. "HEY, GET OFF ME!!" Gene used her finger to activate the weapon. "Set!" He began bending her forearm down until the shivering gun pointed at her head. "Go!" Freyr wanted to look away but couldn't. Her field of view was glued to his. She tried to speak, to yell out, but couldn't. All she could manage was a confused burble in the real world. Eventually, she fell to her knees, then face planted the ground and sank into blackness.</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta could not exactly bring himself to sleep, especially with the headache he had. Though, he did take some time to at least let himself relax while Rhia got to work medicating him. She was able to do a reasonably good job of soothing his headache, as well as calming his nerves to some extent. Although, there was no medication that could help with stress for Rhia herself. Software-based solutions did exist that could assist AI with mental stress, but Rhia wanted to make sure her mind was clear and focused for whatever might be ahead. Outwardly, Vreta found a place to sit down and rest for a few hours, though he, Rhia, and Rareth communicated privately about everything that had transpired. With the exception of some events at the very end, they all had Vreta's recording to review. Of particular concern to them was the attack by Human assailants that ambushed their convoy. They were well-armed, and clearly had their own harnesses, under their own control, with which to enter the Cradle. They also had access to technology which could manipulate the simulation itself, which supposedly should have been out of reach to those the Outremer government did not trust. This was not a terrorist attack by Skinner radicals. For the attack to have happened implied a great deal more division or corruption among the Outremer government than even the Rothians had suspected. Rareth joined the Facilitator as soon as he grabbed her attention. "Understood." She replied simply. Without hesitation, she sent a quick message to Nirann to give Void Company their orders to evacuate. Though, she certainly still had more to say to the Facilitator. "Very well. I do approve of moving the science team somewhere more secure." She said, speaking to him quietly. "But I will just say it plain, I want Rothian security on-site as well. Forget protocol, forget pride, forget 'optics', we need to keep our people safe. There have been two terrorist attacks, and an ambush by Human assailants within the last few hours. They had builder tech, for Eternity's sake; the factions that oppose us have infiltrated to the very core of your government. Maybe you trust your own people, but unless you're planning on depriving your Vault of a substantial number of security personnel, you and I both know you are going to need more manpower, and Rothian forces are the only ones we know have not been compromised."</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang The Facilitator stared soberly up at Rareth - an eyebrow twitched. He mopped his sweaty brow with the cloth again. "I'll see what I can do. A friendly word of advice though: you should get your people off-world before things turn really ugly. This isn't even close to being over, believe me." He pointed at the TV. The picture showed Group Admiral Hale, who they'd met at a previous conference, addressing a cloud of journo-drones via secure uplink. "-bring the perpetrators to justice. Please allow our law enforcement and civilian services agencies do their work, and remain in your-" The Facilitator brought the hardline up to his ear again. "Go for the Vault…Code please…Confirmed. I'll send them up - make sure you're ready." He put the phone down and called loudly into the room. "CRD, Rothian delegates, pack your things! You're heading out in FIVE minutes! Sergeant Skopec, assemble your team. You're going up with them." --- Freyr would've argued harder to remain in the Vault, where they could make a real difference, if she'd been able. But she felt too groggy after her sleep to put up much of a fight. A headache split her right down the middle, so the most she could do was hold back the endless waves of nausea and stay close to Dr Wetherall as they scrambled to evacuate the Vault. A coterie of anonymous technicians filed in to take up posts left by her team. "Come, my dear. Let's go and get you some fresh air." Dr Wetherall soothed, offering an arm for support as they left the control room. She looked back one last time at the picture of the Cradle hanging in the air, the Navigator spinning slower around it. She hoped it wouldn't be the last time she could lay eyes on it. --- The ride up to the surface was somehow even more tense than the journey down. The camp outside the Vault was buzzing with activity, with all manner of vehicle speeding about. Black-clad soldiers were everywhere, scanning CraSec forces and loading them into troop transports. Freyr started when she thought she saw 595 in the throng as they drove through, but it was just a man wearing very similar armour. He was standing in the middle of a melee of soldiers and giving orders, pistol drawn and tapping impatiently at his thigh. The rail system out of the Vault complex and up towards the surface was jam packed with soldiers and civilian personnel. Freyr realised at that point that her team was no longer the most important piece of the puzzle. She exchanged a concerned look with Vreta, who seemed to always be hovering nearby. --- At least fifty heavily armed operators, led by Sergeant Skopec, surrounded them on their way through Babel Tower to their exfil pad. It was a couple of hours before dawn now, and the wind bit at Freyr as they finally arrived in an open-air hangar where four armoured transports waited. The front and back vehicles were already full, so they all piled into the third one and they took off almost before everyone had strapped into a jumpseat. Through the open (but shielded) doors at the back, Freyr just about made out a cloud of drones following them into the air. They banked out of the hangar in tight formation. Freyr caught a glimpse of black smoke from the Parliament estate billowing into the night air, against a backdrop of Outremer's moon. Many of the city's lights were still on, presumably with people unable to sleep after recent events. She felt no such issue anymore. Despite the bitter cold in the transport, sleep tugged at her like a comforting blanket. Her eyelids drooped as she crossed her arms and leaned her head against Dr Wetherall's shoulder. "Wake me when you need me." She slurred, as everything went black. END OF PART ONE</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta gazed out the back of the transport at the landscape beneath them, even as they drew nearer to their destination. From what he could see from the sky, there were thick, tropical rainforests all beneath him, dispersed between clusters of rolling mountains. It actually reminded him of parts of Rothia where the mountains were older and more weathered. It was a pleasant kind of environment, in his opinion. The heat of the tropics was always welcome for Rothians, and forests were always teeming with exotic alien life. There was certainly a part of him that wished he could be here under different circumstances, as he was not sure if there would be any chance to rest. Despite the distance between the cities, the flight to Réunion was measured in minutes, especially with the priority given to them as passengers on a government dropship. It did not take long for the pilot to notify them that they would be coming in for a landing shortly. Observing forward through the external cameras gave Vreta a new sight to admire in the form of the city itself. It was a layered city arranged across three mesas, on the edge of a large lake. A river flowing down from the mountains created multiple waterfalls to tie together the idyllic scenery. The city itself, again, gave Vreta some reminders of home. It was a massive city in every respect, well-maintained, with a skyline that showed an appreciation for aesthetics just as much as function. In some ways, it seemed like it stood as a part of the natural landscape, rather than being in opposition to it. When the transport came in, it landed on a pad on the smallest and highest of the mesas. They were high up, even above some of the clouds, so the air was cooler than Vreta might have preferred. Still, that was hardly a priority at the moment. After all they had been through, Vreta just wanted to get some rest, though it seemed that Freyr was certainly way ahead of him in that regard. She had fallen fast asleep on the way. Once on the ground, Vreta finally stood from his seat and approached Freyr and Dr. Whetherall. There had been such a short time aboard the transport that he did not particularly want to wake her so soon, so he glanced down at Dr. Whetherall. "I can carry her, if we don't want to disturb her." He remarked. After unbuckling her harness, Vreta slowly hoisted Freyr up into his arms so as not to wake her. He had the strength to handle her weight with ease, so it was no meaningful burden to him to carry her around.</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang "Daddy, Do you see that? Open your eyes." "Don't look at it baby. Don't look at the lights. They aren't real. "It's Mummy!! Mummy help us!" … "Freyr!" --- Freyr woke with a start, plastered in sweat despite the air conditioning. She grabbed at the cosy blanket over her and jerked upright, completely disoriented. Brushing hair out of her face, she took in the sumptuous double bedroom. In front of her was a big walk in shower, and to her left was a closed door. The wall to her right was entirely composed of glass, and after rolling up the blinds Freyr put a hand up to shield from the bright afternoon sunshine. Eventually the windows adjusted to dampen the light, and she finally remembered where she was. Réunion unfolded like an intricate origami figure below her. Three stepping stones down to the azure blue lake, adorned with elegant arcologies, hydro-dams and decadent tropical parks. Mist and clouds floated about the mountain peaks on either side of the city and the opposite side of the lake. She made out brightly coloured sails from the multitude of yachts racing out on the mirror-calm waters. Freyr felt her heartbeat return to normal, and sighed. She'd always meant to bring Amy here. She'd visited once on department business and knew straight away her little girl would've loved the water. There was a knock at the door. "Come in." Freyr called, maneuvering her legs off the side of the bed. She was fully clothed except for her shoes and jacket. There was a click outside, footsteps and then another click, and then another click. The door to her left open a crack. "Everyone decent in here?" A familiar voice asked. "Yes. Come on in." Masgard Xandrus' handsome bearded face appeared around the door and smiled. His freshly suited body followed, along with a tray of food and a glass of pink juice. "I tried to remember the last time you ate something, and couldn't. So i brought you breakfast, or should i say dinner?" Xandrus chuckled, approaching the bed.</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr sighed. It felt like they were getting ahead of themselves again. "Gentlemen, I don't believe this is the forum to discuss how we're going to do things, but rather to establish what we're going to do." She looked at the clock - somehow they had been talking for hours already. Freyr hadn't gotten exactly what she wanted out of the engagement, and suspected part of the reason for that would be all the recent terror and upheaval. People still hadn't had enough time to synthesise all the information. "Let's leave it there for today…I think we can all agree that we've been through a traumatic experience. So I want people to be kind to each other, and take time out to consider what's happened objectively." Freyr slurped her coffee, and met the eyes of some people. You could hear a pin drop in the room. "We may be standing on the precipice of something beyond even our wildest imaginings. So I also want you all to consider what is best for the people we serve. This is not just about scientific discovery anymore; however vast that opportunity is. Billions of lives are potentially at risk, trillions even. Untold thousands are already gone, totally invested in a saga which I fear will paint the galactic canvas for millenia. Now go, relax. We'll regroup tomorrow." --- The days immediately following the meeting seemed to blur together. There was no big debriefing from the government, and indeed very little contact from the outside world. The teams worked hard to make sense of the mountain of data pulled out of the Cradle, with little else to occupy them. Their safehouse encompassed the top twelve floors of a tower on the east edge of an enormous arcology, but the Outreman scientists were forbidden from exploring the rest of it, or the city below. With little else to occupy them, the teams worked hard to make sense of the mountain of data pulled out of the Cradle. In between sessions, Freyr paced the corridors while reading the news. She investigated every aspect of the leisure level sampling the bounty of delicacies on offer. But after less than a week, she had seen everything there was to see inside. And then she discovered OCI controlled the garden ringing this cupola they inhabited. Skopec was adamant that no one could go down there, to begin with. But after a full-on shouting match, he relented, and they got their garden. Réunion was hot and humid, even at night, which made a nice change from the dry cool inside. A light breeze ruffled the carefully manicured shrubs and trees lining the walkway around the edge of their building. Warm rain pattered down on the concrete pathways. Freyr stood by the parapet, looking down at the glittering lights of the city cascading towards the sea. She sucked vapour from a soothe stick and blew it out in a tight plume above her head. She took in the flat hoverbot whirred above her head, protecting her from the rain. Eventually,Freyr reached into one pocket and retrieved a hard copy of David & Amy's picture. She studied it hard in the half-dark, trying to memorise every detail of their faces. She had a great memory for data, but struggled with faces. And it was becoming harder to recall them without help, and she hated that.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori For the most part, both the Human and Rothian teams worked as much as they could with the resources they had available to them. There was no shortage of data for them to sort through, but they lacked a proper lab setup at the moment. Still, with such a high concentration of brilliant scientists in one space, they were able to come up with solutions to stay productive. Nirann donated some of his processing power to running analysis or simulations when needed. Within Vreta's mind, he had Rhia sort through every bit of data storage he had to search for any information the Navigator might have left behind for him. Through communication with Rareth, Vreta was kept up-to-date on her negotiations with the new Outremer administration, though he was not yet privy to how the Rahn'Saki was responding back home. He did expect that they were making their own plans and arranging contingencies for actions that Outremer might take. As obscure as the Rahn'Saki's motivations were, he had never known them to face a situation unprepared. In the meantime, while Rareth herself was generally dealing with negotiations in person, she had sent Void Company to the arcology to serve as the Rothian contribution to their security. Having a team of Rothian supersoldiers on-hand was a comfort, at least. --- Freyr was not alone out in the garden, even aside from the guards that were always present in seemingly every part of the building. Marae'Ano had decided to take a walk outside as well. Ever since they had gained access to the garden, it had been a popular spot for the Rothian team members. They tended to enjoy the heat, and Marae did not seem to be agitated by the rain in the slightest. She did not even bother with keeping overhead cover, instead allowing the rain to simply slide from her waterproof scales. As long as the water was warm, it was actually a reasonably pleasant feeling. The rain did serve to somewhat muffle Marae's footsteps as she approached behind Freyr. "Hello, Dr. Lang. Do you mind if I join you?" She asked, though her eyes were soon drawn to the picture she was holding. "Is that your family?"</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr half looked round when Marae spoke, soothe stick inches from her mouth. "Oh, uhh…sure." She took a puff, and blew a cloud of vapour over the image she now held in both hands. "Yep…That's David my husband, and Amy my daughter. I think we'd just spent the day watching the Deng-tsai circuit back in Babylon." Freyr raised the two fingers clutching her soothe stick and waved them round in a circle. "Race cars, shooting around skyscrapers in the city centre. Amy loved it, wouldn't stop talking about it. I think David secretly hated it, but enjoyed seeing us happy all the same." She fell silent, bit her lip. "Do you have any children, Marae?" An Institute operator padded past them on patrol, holographic sight scanning the sky above.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Now that she had been invited, Marae stepped up alongside Freyr near the parapet, looking out over the city. There was a grin in her expression as Freyr was talking about her own family, though she showed some brief discomfort when Freyr asked her about children. "Oh, I…no, I've never been approved for reproductive privileges. I've applied, but if I'm being honest with myself, I'm not likely to ever be approved. My genetics fail to meet a lot of standards. Lung function, cardiovascular health, immune responses…it's all things that have been medically corrected, but you can't fool your genes, and genetic therapy can only go so far. It's the same for a lot of Rothians my age, though. We come from a time before the Rothian genome had been so drastically improved." After a moment, Marae did start to smile again as her mind drifted back to some more pleasant memories. "Of course, my genetics didn't stop me from creating life. The first true Rothian AI…I would say she was like my child in every way that mattered. I brought her into the world, though it required a lot more mathematics than the usual method." She chuckled. "I raised her too. Back then, most Rothian hatchlings were raised by their own parents, and I suppose I got to experience the same thing. It might have been a bit easier, though. You can't exactly tweak the algorithms in an organic child's brain if they are learning the wrong lessons."</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr studied Marae as she spoke in a faint residual light. She felt sorry for the Rothian when she detected a hint of kindred sadness in that alien frame. Her read of their general body language was improving, she subconsciously noted. "Our species are quite alike once you peel back the layers. We both crave sublimity - but no one ever stops to consider what we lose along the way." Freyr sighed, taking another drag and looking back over Réunion. It was late in the evening, but most of the city below them was still bathed in bright neon light. These blues and pinks rippled out across the dark stillness of the vast lake to mingle with bright pricks from yachts on the water. Though not as bright, Freyr thought she could see cars whizzing around below, by the temporary dip in glare from the structures behind them. Like some planet passing in front of a distant star. When Marae began talking about AI, Freyr couldn't help but take interest. The person standing next to her was the foremost authority in pure machine learning, after all. She chuckled at the joke. "No, but I can think of many times that would have come in handy." A pang of sadness plucked at Freyr's soul when she realised she was using past tense. Her thoughts again drifted back to the Cradle, as they had thousands of times before. "Do you think it's unusual… how the Cradle behaves? It is millions of years old, potentially - and yet it is displaying signs I would normally associate with a nascent intelligence. Something that is still learning about its environment. As far as i can tell, it is properly powered. It is almost certainly more powerful than it lets on. The Navigator alluded to them being wounded, but a core principle of reactive synthetic architecture is that it can reconstitute. Why isn't it using whatever initial blueprint it adhered to?" Freyr looked at Marae again, blowing out more vapour.</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang "Bravo!" Wallace clapped her hands together and began manipulating the controls again. "I think we have some full-body masks somewhere…" After a few moments, a quartet of mannikin type shapes appeared behind the Plenipotentiary. Two were entirely obfuscated like the ship, two just had blurry faces. "I am not swimming out there." Freyr laughed, pouring herself another cup of tea. "I'm certainly not dressed for that." Wallace looked at her, raised one eyebrow and rolled the control ball over with one finger without looking. The concert began coming closer, with the ship silently navigating the placid waters. "Don't worry! If you want a full suit, it will repel the water. But I was thinking we could bring the concert to us in the beginning anyway. It's safer like that." Chirtsey and Alderney, Wallace's servants, wafted back into the room via newly reformed blast doors. The faint sound of raised voices followed, but was abruptly cut off when the doors closed. They landed gracefully back on the floor and walked in tandem over to the suits. "Help our guests with their gear, please." Wallace instructed without looking, fiddling with the controls. The music from outside was of a lower volume for the moment, but Freyr noticed the band reaching the end of their song. The scruffy lead singer waved to the crowd, other hand resting on his guitar. "Thank you! You're awesome. Thanks to Kaftari for letting us play for you at such short notice too. There's nothing like a humanitarian disaster in the capital to shake up the set list eh?" He turned and laughed with the rest of the band, who were either hydrating or tuning their equipment. Alderney came over and offered Freyr a blurry mask. She nodded and the servant went round the back of her chair to attach it. After an initial moment of disorientation, the mask moulded her face and her vision returned. It was like the mask wasn't even there anymore. Freyr gingerly felt her head and confirmed that it was, in fact, still there. "We have a special guest at our little gathering, folks!" The singer suddenly announced, scanning the water beyond their little flotilla. "If you're here, get outta my head and give us a wave!" "The good thing about a camouflage ship is that it is…customisable." Wallace grinned. Accessing the neural lace of most everyone in the vicinity, the Plenipotentiary first marked the outline of the ship. As everyone turned to look at them, now only a couple of hundred metres away, the outer surface of their craft rippled with a kaleidoscope of colours that mingled with the dark background of the mist upon the water. Wallace knew it would be different for everyone, finely balanced to stimulate the amygdala. The crowd burst into rapturous cheering, and as if it were planned all along, the band burst into a new song. Detecting the rhythm, the ship automatically synchronised. "They love it!" Wallace announced. "Time to meet our adoring fans - everyone suited up?" "This is attracting a lot of attention, maybe we shouldn't-" Freyr began, but their host had already set the process in motion. The orb's outer shell began peeling back as the ship floated the last few yards toward the flotilla. Wallace stood up and adopted a show woman's pose, her silent attendants standing at attention behind.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Nirann shrugged his shoulders. "Hmm, I suppose we could use holographic masking. It does kind of kill some of the fun, though. I do like it when I can just be part of the crowd, especially when I spend so much time watching them as it is. It's nice to just…explore a crowd naturally. Never know what you might find. Like a mate, for instance. I met Marae in the crowd at a party." In any case, neither of the pair directly objected to Wallace's suggestion. Even if they hid their identities, Marae had not expected her to want to make them the center of attention. Still, she was curious enough to want to see what she had in mind. When the ship opened up, both Marae and Nirann walked side-by-side along with Freyr, while mostly trying to keep out of Wallace's way. There seemed to be little doubt that she quite enjoyed having all the eyes on her. Marae grinned as they stepped out towards the flotilla, while Nirann would have if he could. "You sure you don't want to go for a swim? Because it seems like the alternative is being center stage." Nirann commented with a chuckle towards Freyr. The new song was just as alien as the previous to the pair of Rothians. Regardless of their opinions on it, though, they were far more occupied by this grand entrance than they were the concert itself.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang The ship nudged gently against the flotilla, and dropped down to allow Nirann and Marae to exit onto it if they wished to. Warm water sloshed onto the deck of their half-opened orb and quickly around the seating area until it was ankle high. Freyr squealed, partly from trepidation and partly from pure excitement after so long without stimulation. She leapt back onto the bean bag she'd been on before and laughed. "No! You go if you want, I'll try in a minute!" Wallace waved out to the wild mass of partygoers perched on the creaking flotilla, beaming as the music undulated around them. Several people jumped from the platforms onto their watery deck and rushed forward. Freyr didn't notice, for she was too preoccupied with all the moving objects, but Chirtsey and Alderney flinched. Their hands started to move, but one tiny motion from Wallace stopped them dead in their tracks. Freyr did happen to spot a tiny thread of flickering light, like spider silk, connecting the back of the Plenipotentiary's head to a shield generator hidden out of sight. The audio quality from inside the half-exposed orb was excellent, rivalling that of anywhere near the band. So the revellers swept up their group for a drunken greeting and compliment of the grand entry. They then began swirling around the space, dancing and knocking jovially into each other to this energetic music. "Hello, nice to see you. Please, make yourselves at home. Hi!" Wallace called over the music, hugging and shaking hands with several people; servants never more than an arm's length away. It was like the Plenipotentiary knew everyone at the event. "This looks comfy!" A tall thin woman with dark red hair and a swimsuit shouted, falling into Freyr's beanbag to hug her. "Oh, hey!" Freyr laughed tolerantly, patting the woman's back as the wetness seeped into her own clothes.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Both Marae and Nirann were moderately surprised about how their grand entrance was unfolding. Not only did they approach the party, but Wallace actually allowed the party to come to them. Freyr ducked back inside almost immediately, which got a chuckle out of Marae. It felt like Freyr was not quite accustomed to this sort of environment. They had not been quite sure how this evening was going to play out, but Marae and Nirann both shared a knowing look; at this point, they both knew what they were going to do next. At first, the pair slipped over to the side of the platform as the crowd advanced. They knew well-enough not to be in their way, though Freyr was quite firmly in their path. From what they could observe, it seemed like the idea of "inhibitions" was a foreign one to much of the crowd at the moment. One of them required no invitation to fall on Freyr's bean bag chair and embrace her like a long-lost friend. Nirann nudged Marae beside him. "About what kind of dosage you think she has right now?' "Now that's just rude." "But not inaccurate." Both exchanged a nod before deciding to approach, and they were both surprisingly adept at navigating even such a chaotic crowd. They knew not to try to move against it, instead moving with the flow of people as if they were navigating a river. They just nudged themselves in their desired direction whenever the opportunity presented itself. They ended up taking an indirect path, so Freyr may not have even seen them walk up behind her and take a seat on either side of her, crowding her bean bag chair rather thoroughly. She suddenly found herself with a scaly hand resting on her left shoulder, a metal hand on her right, and both of them talking to her one after another. "Well, seems like you're not wasting any time." "I see you've already made a friend." "That's nice." "Seems like our host is mostly focused on entertaining her swarm of guests right now." "If we play it right, we can probably just slip away into the party."</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr had not been expecting any of this. After so long trapped in a high rise apartment block, the mosh pit party developing around them as more people scrambled over to their little orb was quite daunting. They were variously running in circles or jumping up and down as this niche band transitioned seamlessly to another angsty song. "Ok, ok. Help me out here! Let's go for a wander." Freyr lifted her arms above her head, for the Rothians to pull her out from under the pile as another person joined in. "Aching, she's feeling so confused, confused. She can't breathe or believe she's useless Right off the edge she'll walk Just listen close you'll hear her screaming." The singer essentially couldn't see through the mat of hair now covering his eyes as he swanned about the stage. Someone from the flotilla clambered up onto their stage and rushed over. The singer tried to juke around but got knocked over in a fan hug. He still managed to shout into the mic from on the floor: "Take meee!" The rest of the band, grinning at the chaos, chimed in with backing vocals. "Take me." "Take mee!" Security rushed over and hoisted the screaming fan off of the scruffily dressed singer. He hopped up and carried on. "Who's gonna miss me when I'm gone?" He blew a kiss into the crowd, wiggling his head and stamping one foot in time with the music. "Our hardest times, hold on."</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Marae laughed, turning around as she stopped herself in front of Freyr. She reached out and placed a hand on both of her cheeks, though for hands her size, it was more like she was grabbing her entire head. "Freyr, do you ever stop working? Seriously, we are at a party, Freyr. We can have a meeting with the others to talk about that later. Just stop a moment and enjoy yourself." Marae smiled. As she released Freyr, she immediately turned and brought her hands up over her head to dive off the edge into the water. Nirann did not follow. For a moment, his gaze seemed to go out over the water, but it only took Freyr a few seconds to hear his voice. He did not bother trying to shout over the music or the crowd, but rather simply messaged Freyr's implants directly. "It isn't healthy what you're doing, you know?" He said. The tone Freyr heard was perhaps uncharacteristically serious from him. "You have an obsession. Now, you do have a very good reason to be obsessed, mind you, but that doesn't make the effects any better. You don't even know how many times I've seen this play out among my people. In my city. I experience every part of their lives; the good, the bad, all the successes and failures. I've seen millions upon millions of variations of their stories, so I can see what's happening in you. You Humans aren't all that different. You're not failing them if you're not spending every waking moment trying to bring them back. You're not turning your back on them by spending a few hours relaxing. For your sake and theirs, you need to let your mind rest. This obsession, it's not going to help them. It never does. What it can do is narrow your mind. Limit your perspective. It can hamper your judgement until you get to the point where you can only see what you want to see." Nirann held out one hand between them, offering it to her. "Close your eyes and listen. Not to your own thoughts, not to your fears, but to this place. This moment. The music, the people, the waves crashing up against the side of the boats. Let yourself seize this moment."</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr nodded hesitantly in response to Nirann. She knew some of this already, but hearing it from the robot didn't make things any easier. After a few shaky breaths, Freyr closed her eyes. A blurry image of her family entered her mind - they were running down a beach that didn't exist, away from her. Tears rolled down both her cheeks as the concert boomed around her. Freyr couldn't hear it anymore, only the sound of her breathing and a high pitched whine in each ear. Slowly, she raised a hand and tried to wipe her tears. She felt instead an alien, rubbery texture against her face, where the mask had settled in. Reaching around her neck, Freyr pushed the mask up and away, using the back of her arm to dry her face. At the same time, she reached out another hand, searching blindly for Nirann's. --- Staring through the spyglass, the spotter up on the raised promenade zoomed in on the woman's face as she wiped her tears away. The device matched this person to a high value target with a 85% probability. He put his secure phone to one ear, bulky transmitter pointing straight up. "I think I have something. On the beach."</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Nirann, for a few moments, observed in silence. He watched the smallest details of Freyr's body language, not that one would really need an electronic eye to see what she was feeling in her expression. In any case, given the context, it was easy to infer what sorts of thoughts were likely running through her mind. Reaching out, he took her hand carefully in his own. His hand might have been cold metal, with the strength to crush a metal bar as if it were a tin can, but his touch was as measured and precise as a surgeon. They were already close to the water, so he gently guided her along with him as he took a seat on the edge of the vessel, his feet hanging off into the water below. "I want to show you something real quick." Nirann remarked. He brought up a holographic screen in front of himself. He loaded a short video clip, then pushed it over in front of Freyr. Front and center in the frame was Marae. The distinctive mosaic on her scales had a different pattern, but it was still unmistakably her. It was nighttime in the video, though it was still clear enough for Freyr to see that she was sitting in the sand on a beach, holding another Rothian close to her. They were both looking up to the sky, in which they could see the Milky Way galaxy…from outside of the galactic plane. The video seemed to have been recorded on a Rothian colony in one of the Milky Way's satellite galaxies. Aside from the location, there was nothing in the video that would stand out to the average person, but Freyr would easily notice the fact that the other Rothian looked exactly like the holographic avatar Nirann had used when they had first met him back on Rothia. Yet, the pair of them were clearly in contact with one another in the recording, even nuzzling one another quite affectionately. He clearly was no hologram. "I don't spend most of my time back home walking around as an armored death machine." Nirann remarked, still messaging Freyr directly. "We can make synthetic bodies that are quite remarkable. I mean, that one is centuries old, and Marae still didn't have any idea there was metal instead of muscle under my scales until our first date. Even then, that was only because I told her myself. Point is, you've been through a lot Freyr, and I know it isn't easy. I know you have a lot to fear when it comes to bringing back your family, but if we do find their minds, you shouldn't have to worry about whether or not we can even bring them back at all. I can't say for sure if their minds will still be compatible with their original bodies, but since their minds have already been digitized, well…I wouldn't need to pull too many strings to have a pair of Human bodies fabricated. Take it from me, the experience of being in one of those bodies is outright identical to being in an organic one. Or at least, it can be."</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr followed Nirann's lead, taking off her shoes and rolling up her leg garments before sitting with the warm water lapping at her knees. She smiled sadly while watching the video Nirann showed, drying her eyes as much as she could under her mask. Eventually the happy scene became too much, and she looked up and past the screen at Réunion. It was late now, but the city was still lit up with a kaleidoscope of bright lights, snaking their way between platforms up to the mountains above. "You make it sound so easy." Freyr murmured, running her index finger through the water. "Like we can just bung my family into new bodies and life can go back to normal." She sighed. "I've had…dreams. Or visions, I don't know. I can see them inside the Cradle - they're being…chased, or tortured. I can't tell if they're asleep or awake, or where they are. But something is happening to them and being broadcast to me." Freyr pulled out her stim-stick and popped it in her mouth; the light lit up. "I sound crazy, I know. But it feels like a trap that I can't avoid. No matter how i approach it, none of us come out whole."</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Nirann turned his head, looking down at Freyr. "I don't mean to be the skeptic, but those dreams are much more likely to just be…dreams. You are worried about your family, again, very understandably. Your minds create dreams, for the most part, just based on what you think about while you're awake. And I'm sure you're thinking about your family a lot. There is not likely to be any meaning behind them beyond that." Freyr's hand was still gripped tightly onto Nirann's, though given her state at the moment, she may not have even realized it. He lifted her hand up slightly, then rested his other hand over the top of hers. "And if we can find their consciousnesses, then it really will be that easy. Normally it wouldn't be, since the prospect of digitizing a living mind is far from simple, but that won't be an issue here. Digital beings like me, we don't have to be too attached to particular hardware if we don't want to be. I can move between any hardware with enough storage space at a snap of my fingers, and well…the point I was trying to make is that they can be happy like this. In my usual body, there is nothing you can experience that I can't. Every touch, every taste, every scent, even digestion we can accomplish artificially. Now, granted, I don't usually enable all the features of organics in my body. For instance, I don't sleep and have never had the desire to, but they could have the choice to experience everything just like it used to be. Except…" Nirann shifted slightly in place, his gaze moving back out over the water. There was one aspect of Humanity that Rothians would never have any desire to imitate. "Well…there is the immortality. They wouldn't age. They would need to change bodies to move on to later stages of life, and the eventual death your species experiences would always be a choice."</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr blew out some vapour. It was a different colour to before, slightly green. She chuckled and shook her head. "At least then they'll get back the time they lost." Lights reflected off the dark, warm water as she ran a hand through it. Nirann might have been talking, but she wasn't taking anything in. After a little while, Freyr leaned slowly forward from her position, sat on the side and entered the lake fully. The comforting blackness engulfed her, and the cacophony of sounds around them changed into a muffled clang and hum. Freyr kicked her legs once, then twice, arms at her sides. Her fist closed around the stim-stick to prevent it floating away. Someone jumped in nearby, and began swimming around, nearly kicking her in the face. Freyr breathed out, feeling bubbles of air crawling along the top of her mouth.</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr hung awkwardly in Marae's embrace for a moment, feet softly kicking to help them float. Then she wrapped her arms around the scientist's muscular form and gave her a squeeze. She wanted to say 'thank you', but couldn't. The mental congestion was the same as if she were crying out of the water. "My son is missing too. Wallace's voice entered Freyr's head. It was clear she had been listening in, somehow. "That was why I called on you specifically. You may not know it yet, but you have influence with our people, Dr Lang. More than you know. We can help each other." Freyr didn't say anything, but released Marae after a few seconds. "Let's go up. I'm ready for a drink." She signalled in a monotone fashion. The music had been in a lull for a little bit, but was building up to a crescendo again. "Just forget All about fate While I unlock this gentleman's promise." The sound of the band exploded back into Freyr's ears as she broke the surface of the water. Turning her head, she could just about see the singer on their raised platform, holding onto the microphone stand while knocking their knees together. "With flesh like fire, but it lacks the colour And chemical laughs fly round like drama." Freyr grabbed onto the nearest pontoon and dragged herself up, clothes releasing large amounts of water back into the lake. "I don't understand what you mean." Freyr sent back to Wallace. She looked back at the ship, which was mobbed by partygoers.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Marae swam up and climbed out of the water alongside Freyr. Despite the crowd, being underwater came with a silence that could make the area seem almost peaceful. Though, that illusion was easily shattered once they were back in open air. "Yes, I think maybe this isn't the best sort of place for you right now. Maybe we should head back and have more of a quiet evening. We can have a few drinks, share some stories, relax." She suggested before shooting another glance down towards the water. "Come on back up. We're heading back inside." She messaged to Nirann. Nirann's current body could not swim in any real way, but he would not have jumped in without a way out. His frame had thrusters built in, mostly intended for zero-G maneuvering, but they could provide enough force in water to get him back up to the surface. Or at least, he brought himself close enough to grab a hold of the edge of the pontoon, then hoisted himself up the rest of the way. "Just based on my impressions of her, I'm thinking the odds are good that there is a full bar somewhere in this ship. Hopefully it's somewhere not overrun by…tourists." Marae remarked.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang The hit from her stim stick moments before rushed up Freyr's spine, like a thick fog. The music slowed in tempo slightly and rose in pitch. "Who says we need Wallace? We have a bar right here, all around us!" As if to demonstrate, Freyr snatched a square green bottle away from the lips of a teenager with orange trunks. She effected a sweet smile when he looked angrily her way, and pushed him off the side with one almighty shove. The soaking wet biologist upended the bottle and took in a mouthful of the pungent liquid. It tasted like liquorice and chilli peppers. Freyr winced as she swallowed, then took another smaller sip. "We can make our own party." --- A long bike whirred out of the long lines of air traffic above the city centre and dropped down to the promenade overlooking the lake. A girl in a full body protective suit and helmet parked it next to the man who was watching the concert and hopped off the bike. He looked over and offered her his binoculars, which she took wordlessly and moved to the parapet. "I marked them. The mask is back on now, but body language matches known records." He remarked. The girl quickly rewound the footage recorded in the device until she got a look at half of Freyr's face. "Any shields?" "I can't detect anything. The lizards might." The girl clucked her tongue softly, tapping the parapet with a fingernail.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Marae laughed, crossing her arms as she looked down on Freyr next to her. "But you are a conundrum, aren't you Dr. Lang? Not but a moment ago, it didn't seem like you were up for much of any kind of party, much less one of your own making. And here I was thinking we were about to have a quiet evening relaxing over drinks, sharing stories…" Nirann walked around on Freyr's other side, holding his arms out as wide has he could in the crowd as he took a few steps back. "Well I don't know about you, but a party sounds worlds more exiting than…that. And I'll tell you, I am wonderful at acting drunk. Always the life of the party." "But unlike everyone else, you get to cheat. No risks, and you can always just snap yourself out of it." Marae grunted. "Oh, you know well how I can handle risks." Even if he hadn't been masked, Nirann could not give expressions, but everything about the way he spoke gave the image of him speaking through a wide grin. "What's something you've never done before, Freyr? Something exciting? Something frightening? Both? We've got freedom and we've got these masks, so no one will be getting on to us later."</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr pantomimed thinking for a second, stroking her imaginary beard. "I've never been up on stage at a music thing before." She raised one eyebrow as the singer, not too far away now, ripped his sweat-drenched shirt off, swung it around his head and chucked it into the crowd. A dozen arms reached out to grab it at the front. The band started playing slower but harder as they transitioned from one song to the next. "Ah, there you are!" A voice called out from the throng around them. Alderney pushed through the crowd and stepped aside to let Wallace through. She'd somehow changed her stola for a lightweight purple jumpsuit. "You're all wet! Good, well, I think we should head back inside now. I'm afraid we're attracting a bit of attention…Dr Lang?" Freyr pushed through the crowd towards the stage. Liquid from the bottle she'd stolen spilled all over her mask when someone's elbow jogged her as she tried to drink. "Hey, cool outfit!" Someone shouted in her ear. "You're an amazing crowd, and we're Precept. You're listening to the early 21st, right here on Réunion beach!" The singer shouted as the song ended. "This one is for our new government - fuck you!" The band started playing again, playing with new vigour. Lights shone up into the sky from around the stage, and large gouts of smoke puffed out and around the ensemble. Freyr pushed on towards the front. Wallace just smiled as Freyr ran away, then looked at the two Rothians. "I'm going to put a shield out, but we should really leave soon. Want to head back to the ship and I'll collect Dr Lang?" As she spoke, a subtle oil-slick bubble extended from the partly visible Cradle ship to encompass the concert within it. If you were listening carefully, you could hear a sound like undersea cables being pulled taut.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Nirann tilted his head up slightly towards the sky. With his array of sensors, he could perceive the shield in ways most others couldn't. Indeed, he could get a read on its size, dimensions, and strength from a distance. Wallace, it seemed, was being quite cautious. He wondered if there was a specific reason to think they were in danger, or if she was just leaving nothing to chance. In any case, he had no problem assisting in his own way. It was easy enough for him to have a subroutine always monitoring his sensors for anything potentially worrying. Crossing his arms, Nirann laughed. "Are you so sure you want to leave so soon? Freyr is finally looking like she's having a good time." "Well, it would be the responsible thing to do." Marae remarked. "Heh, like how responsible you were on our last trip to Anskaria?" Marae rolled her eyes, then stepped a bit closer to Wallace. "We can join you. Maybe help bring her in without upsetting her." She offered, though she could not help but to look to the crowd with a bit of temptation. The music, as strange as it was to her, had a beat she was starting to appreciate. The crowd was still as lively as ever, and even for her, it would be easy for her to want to join in. She supposed they would see once they got to Freyr.</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Wallace surveyed the crowd, swaying gently to the rhythm. Then she leaned in and called over the music. "I'd love to stay. I would! But I'm getting reports of unrest in the city. Protests and 'subversive' maneouvers - stuff you would never see on Rothia. My ship can protect us from almost anything, but it is the Institute I'm most worried about. They know I've kidnapped one of their officers and a VIP and they want both back!" She was smiling, but Wallace's eyes were dark. Someone tripped over a buoyancy aid behind Wallace and fell over. Chirtsey smartly shoved them away from the Plenipotentiary and into the water. The band carried on playing, the singer's previously ragged voice hitting an impressive range of notes. Wallace looked around for Freyr again. "Besides, I saw what happened just now. Dr Lang needs therapy - an environment like this isn't helping her." --- Freyr smiled around at the maelstrom of faces swirling in front of her eyes. Spots of warm water pattered down onto her forehead and dripped into her mouth. She pushed quickly through the crowds forcing the bottle up from her side to take another sip. "Hey, gorgeous." A voice said in her ear. Freyr turned her head. "Give me a boost up onto the stage." She slurred.</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang The Rothian interceptors only had a few seconds to avert disaster. Outremer's command and control infrastructure had only recently gone through a drastic, though reversible, reduction in integration with the Cradle. A gap in centuries of unnaturally-fast reflexes allowed the simultaneous hack of two unmanned cargo ships to remain undetected by air traffic control for a whole minute. As the first cargo ship's fiery pieces lit up the night sky and crashed into the south-west side of the tower block, the second one flattened out its approach to the north-west. It screamed past neighbouring towers on a collision course as the swarm of Rothian craft surrounded it. The fighters which clamped onto the freighter exerted a huge effort to pull wide of the safe house. They fizzed past the safe house block by the narrowest of margins, rattling every window. Then, whoever was controlling the suicide bomber detonated what was left of their interstellar engine, barely a hundred metres from north side of the tower. Freyr couldn't see much from on the stretcher, except the robot hovering above her and the harsh lighting set in the ceiling. Then there was smoke, and things started to get quite hot. "Please make your way to the nearest fire exit point, indicated on the floor in front of you." The building's attendant AI requested calmly. "Other way! Down to the hangar!" Skopec roared, as a wall of fire licked under the newly emerged set of blast doors at the end of their corridor. The floor shook under their feet, and an alarmingly crisp sound of rending metal sounded from all around them. Freyr's vision blurred, and a sudden nausea rose from the pit of her stomach up toward her throat. "I was…somewhere."</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Regardless of the source of the symptoms she felt, Freyr would find she did not experience them for long. The drones her body was hooked to provided constant analysis and treatment for any deviation from ideal homeostasis. The heat from outside, however, they could not address. The whole of the building seemed to shake from the explosion, and once again, most of those around her stumbled and staggered. Fortunately, the blast doors kept back the flames, but it seemed their closest exit was now blocked. Nirann needed only to double-check the building's blueprints for a moment to feel dubious about their plan for escape. The hangar was a fair distance away, and he could only guess at the current stability of the structure with the limited information he had available. Based on the estimated yield of the explosion, plus previous impacts, it was possible they could make it down in time, but there was quite a bit of a margin of error in those estimates. An alternative would be preferable. He signaled to the Rothian transports outside, informing them of their current position and situation. "I can call a transport to this floor." Nirann informed Skopec. "We just need to get to the building's outer walls and one of them can cut through and extract us. Preferably on a side that isn't on fire." Already, the dropships were surrounding the building and scanning for safe locations to cut through the exterior, then marking the options for Nirann and the others.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Skopec consulted the building plan quickly, before making a snap decision. "Ok, everyone follow me!" He led them back the way they'd come, away from the blast doors that held back a billowing inferno which was engulfing one side of the tower. An alarm blared throughout the complex, mingling in with shouting voices. More scientists and staffers emerged from their quarters along the hall to join the growing crowd as they evacuated. Freyr could see smoke billowing past the exterior windows of their individual apartments. She could smell fire from her gurney. Outreman fighters screamed past the arcology again, and another titanic grinding sound rattled the fabric of the building. "Everybody MOVE!" Institute soldiers bellowed at the terrified civilians, pushing them into line behind Skopec. They turned a corner and kept going east along the southern-most corridor."Tell them to meet us in the south-east corner." Skopec glanced back while explaining to Nirann. It's a larger apartment - more floor space and windows! I'll go down and get-" The Sergeant never finished, because a solid interior fire door flew away from the wall and crashed into him. A seven foot tall industrial droid ducked under the now-open doorway from the emergency stairwell it had just climbed up. Its retro-fit armour plating was blackened and dented from the impact when the first cargo ship had crashed into the building. Curled up and deactivated, it had survived. Though, its regular uplink light was not flashing. Ignoring the others, it strode across the corridor and punched straight through the door that was now melded to Skopec's frame. The Sergeant's helmet slithered across his face just before the droid could grab his bare neck. Within half a second, another blackened droid stepped through the opening - this one was carrying an energy cannon. It spooled up rapidly into a full-charge state. "ROTHIA MUST FALL" The droid blared in a robotic voice, before firing from the hip straight at Nirann from close range.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori The attack came quickly, but even those few moments were well-within Nirann's ability to use. To a normal organic, his perception would be like looking on in slow-motion. The emergence of the droids through the doorway required immediate action. Just a quick visual scan identified the droids as an industrial model. They were certainly armed, though they were not military models. They had likely been reprogrammed and repurposed for this attack. Given that they were not classified military equipment, Nirann could easily access their model specifications through public networks. He could learn how they were constructed as well as the layout of their components. The cannon was one he could identify in his scans. It was a heavier weapon of Human make, though he was well-aware of its energy output. It was a fairly simple calculation to judge exactly how much damage his own defenses could handle. Nirann had no shortage of reasons to act. The members of the science team were critical mission assets, even moreso than himself. He had no intention of dying, but as much as Marae would hate him even thinking it, he was still "just" a copy. However, the motivation that pushed him above all others was the one he would not log officially. Marae was here, and she was in danger. The mission was supposed to come first, but Marae was who he would protect. All others were secondary. Before Skopec had even hit the ground, Nirann had angled his shield strength towards the front and started off in a forward sprint. Nirann had not brought weapons with him, but he was still in the frame of a Rothian war droid. It was a military machine, and it had its own integrated armaments for him to use. For such close quarters, its plasma blade was perfectly suitable. His arm opened up to expose the energy projector before the bright red blade ignited. As the energy cannon charged to full power, Nirann was already dashing forward. The droid was aimed right at him, but that was perfectly fine to him. A shot aimed at him was one not aimed at her. He took the first shot directly to his shields, but he did not intend to allow a second. They had been close to start, and it just took a moment to close the gap. He slashed his blade for the droid's arms to disarm it and remove its threat, then intended to follow through by thrusting it into the processor directly. Rhia made her analysis as quickly as Nirann, though it took a moment longer for Vreta to be able to react to it. He was not armed, but there was still an opening for them to help. Nirann was handling one of the droids, but the other was occupied with Skopec. It was uncertain if they would be able to save him, but they had a chance to try. Rhia directed Vreta to rush forward as well and run up from behind the droid. These droids seemed to currently lack any remote network connections that might open them up to remote hacking, but manual hacking was still an option. If Vreta could jack in and establish a connection physically, Rhia had prepped a virus to attempt to disable its motor functions, then perhaps do more from there.</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang The droids moved very quickly, their usual collision controls disabled. The one facing Nirann dropped its cannon, leapt forward and grabbed the Rothian's blade arm near the wrist and at the elbow. The lights in the corridor flicked off, to be replaced by red emergency lighting. The corridor was full of scientific personnel, and most of them were not calm. As the sword blazed through the droid's right shoulder, it applied enough force to pick Nirann up and turn right, swinging him around 180 degrees. The droid ultimately aimed to throw the smaller robot back through the twisted fire escape exitway. If that worked, a third blackened droid was waiting with a sharp metal girder, torn from the wreckage, to smash Nirann to pieces. The second droid's sensory array detected Vreta rushing up on it from the side. It rose up from its crouching position over the prone Skopec, lifting the Institute soldier up with one arm until he was struggling in mid-air. The robot then swung the Sergeant around, to put him between Vreta and itself. It would then try to club Vreta to the ground or back through the exitway with the combined mass of Skopec's armour and the attached fire door. There was pandemonium in the corridor, with scientists attempting to scramble back the way they'd came, often over each other. Institute operators were stuck in the melee, trying to get a clear shot on the assailants. Masgard Xandrus didn't try to flee though. His face was determined as he moved forward, trying not to get hit by either Nirann or the first droid as he went for the cannon.</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang The two closest Institute operators fired continuous streams of energy at Vreta's droid as soon as their CO was out of the way. They lit up the dark red corridor, and after a second the entire front of the machine was covered in corrosive plasma. Nirann and the other droid were brushed too in these close quarters. Coils of acrid smoke billowed up into the ceiling ventilation, setting off the fire-defence system for the sector. Sheets of cold water sprayed from all angles. Skopec gurgled incoherently over comms as the vice-like grip contorted the armour around his throat. He'd managed to pull out his sidearm; he fired it rapidly into the fire door which had been pressed against his suit. Sparks and fires burst from the droid's chest and head as the plasma gouged its armour plating. Its top half spun round full circle and its bottom half staggered forward. Plasma sprayed all over its back and sides until Skopec and the fire door screeched along the opposite wall on another collision course with Vreta. The other droid didn't fit back through the exitway when Nirann let go. It moved its one remaining leg to connect with the door frame. It smashed right through, but enough of the momentum was dissipated to avoid it crashing into the third droid and falling back down the stairwell. Instead it rolled in the air before collapsing on the floor. The third droid sensed an opportunity, trampling straight over its downed colleague with no time wasted. It moved the sharpened girder it held so it pointed straight out in front, to impale Nirann through the abdomen while he was unbalanced. With the other Rothian target directly behind this war machine, it could kill two birds with one stone.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta was more agile than the machine targeting him, though he still had to struggle to evade the incoming attacks. Weapons fire from the other Institute operators tore through the droid, but that did not bring him out of danger just yet. His shield belt protected him from the indirect spray of plasma, but he had to leap out of the way of Skopec when he was swung towards him once again. Even with Rhia's warning, it came quick enough that he only partially succeeded. He did avoid the brunt of the impact, but Vreta was still hit in the side and sent tumbling across the floor until he slammed back into the wall behind him. The pain was dull and, in the excitement of the moment, easy to ignore, but he still had to struggle to push past the stunning effect of the impact to try to get himself up off the ground. Nirann, meanwhile was also leaning into his maneuverability. He caught himself from falling back with his tail after throwing the first droid, so he kept his footing for the most part. It was not a feat a normal Rothian would be able to accomplish, but he had quite a bit more power in his frame. In any case, he recognized that he did not need to do anything complex or risky to end the threat in front of him. Oftentimes, a simple, straightforward approach was best in a fight. He ignited his energy blade once more and took up a stance reminiscent of that of a fencer. Using the reach of his weapon to his advantage, he started to make quick, efficient slices with the tip of his blade towards the charging droid, first at its arm to eliminate its improvised weapon, then towards the rest of its frame to cut it to pieces. He was more than agile enough to evade as needed to keep out of reach of the lumbering machine.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang The droid swinging Skopec released him after hitting Vreta. Not by design; it had just lost control of its arms. They continued to spin wildly around. Milliseconds after the Sergeant flew through the air, Masgard rose to his feet with the second droid's discarded energy cannon. Cradling it in his arms, he charged the weapon to full power, aimed and fired. vvvvVVVVBOOM The corridor flashed, and the top half of the first droid disappeared. Its legs stumbled forward a step, before pitching over on the floor. Masgard grinned, relieved. It didn't last long though, and he fumbled to cool the gun's energy core for another shot as Skopec crashed into Nirann from behind. Somehow, the Institute Sergeant managed to push free of the fire door that had been integrated with his armour since the fight began. This slab of metal whacked the Rothian AI on the back at high speed, and the armoured man fell shorter, impacting the base of Nirann's tail. The droid on the other side of Nirann didn't stop charging forward. The energy sword sawed the arm holding the girder clean off; it clanged to the floor. But with Nirann pushed forward from behind the droid used its side to keep the blade's edge away from puncturing its chest - merely singeing its frame. It took a side step before lunging forward, grabbing Nirann around the neck and pulled him savagely into the stairwell area. Using its opponent's momentum, the droid pushed Nirann down towards the other legless machine on the floor. This one knew that without a knee joint, it was no use in a conventional fight. So it had immediately begun priming its emergency self-destruct charge. The module was embedded in its chest and had been designed for activation either by a human standing in front of the droid, or remotely. So it had taken a couple of seconds to prepare, but the charge now flashed red. A prerecorded message blared for workers to stand back, as Nirann's head was plunged toward it.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Nirann could accurately track the positions and movement of every object around him, but there were still limitations on how quickly he could actually move his physical frame. The hit to his back forced him forward, and he had to react as best as he could. Granted, he could calculate multiple options to avoid taking the brunt of the force from the detonation. His blade was still active, and he could twist it around behind him to sever the arm holding him. An organic Rothian would probably break their own arm trying to contort in such a way, but he did not have such limitations. However, for Nirann, it was not just himself he had to worry about. He lacked enough information on the internal specifications of the explosive charge that he could not accurately predict the explosion's characteristics. The exact direction of the explosive force, fragmentation, there was enough variance to be worried. He could not predict who else behind him would be hurt if he was not in the way, and he had to protect them. He had to protect her. He directed all available power to bolstering his frontal shielding and allowed his frame to stay between the charge and his allies. In an instant, there was a flash of light, and in the next, a deafening blast that shook the hallway. In the span of fractions of a second, Nirann's shields flared brighter and brighter, then cracked. Most of his heavily armored frame could withstand the explosion, thereby protecting those behind him, but his head had been point-blank to it. In an instant, Nirann's head had been blasted apart, along with much of the forearm of the droid that had been holding it. As the rest of Nirann's frame dropped to the ground, the industrial droid was knocked back by the blast, though kept its footing. Even damaged as it was, it was still active…still dangerous. Unarmed, the machine was still a deadly weapon on its own. One arm sparked between twisted, contorted metal plates, while the other was raised into a fist. It chose its next target, but it never found its opportunity to make its rush forward. Rather, it quickly lost control of its limbs as a glowing red energy blade cleaved through the actuators controlling its hip joints, then continued upwards through its torso to bisect the machine vertically. Its two halves fell to either side, glowing red from the intense heat, leaving Nirann's headless frame standing tall in its stead, his blade held high. Naturally, a droid's head was not where the Rothians chose to place its central processing unit. For such a critical component, the much more heavily armored torso was a far better location. "Damn it, lost the primary sensor suite. Going to have to manage on secondaries." Nirann muttered through notably lower-quality speakers. "Can we all move? We need to be out of here five minutes ago."</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang "Agreed, let's get the hell out of here!" Masgard yelled over the sirens, hefting the cannon as he turned back to the group. His usually perfect hair hung down along his forehead, dripping wet from the fire control system. Most of the civilians had begun a stampede back through the red-hued corridor in the opposite direction. But the fight had only lasted half a minute at most, so the Institute operators at the back were able to shepherd them up and point them in the right direction. The ones in the front fanned out to check the corridor ahead. Skopec rose to his knees and pushed his helmet back. He peeled a warped slither of armour flex away from his neck, breathing ragged. That done, the Sergeant waved away offers of assistance and clambered unsteadily to his feet, pistol in hand. He looked angry. "As I was saying… I'll make sure everyone gets out. Go!" --- Not long after, they reached the large corner unit of their floor. A Rothian transport had cut through the glass and was waiting for them with the doors open. They all fit on, except some of the soldiers who went to help their CO, and the craft lifted off. The arcology they had all briefly called home was lit up with a multitude of fires, raging against a dark and rainy background. Police lights flashed through the city below. Chapter 7 - The Alliance Freyr slept without dreams for the next 28 hours. The first time in a while. She woke in unfamiliar surroundings.</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr stared blankly into space, searching her memory while the doctors spoke to her. Her mind tried to piece together what had happened and how she'd arrived in this strange place - but the last couple of days were an uncomfortable blur. She distractedly hummed out an earworm; the beginning of a song she didn't know. She looked over when another Rothian entered, and it took a few seconds for her to recognise Vreta'Sori. He asked her how she was, and Freyr looked down at her hands as if to see if she'd contracted leprosy. "Groggy. Where am i?" She replied eventually. She smacked her lips, finding them dry. "Water." She murmured. The Human doctor made a note and then signalled at the attendant droid.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori "We're on the Faultless Spear, our cruiser in orbit. We're safe here." Vreta answered softly. "We managed to get out of the arcology amid the attack, if only just. The fires consumed many of the upper floors, before they got them under control. The dropship that evacuated us brought us straight up here, and we've been here since. Everyone on both science teams received the best medical treatment we could give them, and there have been no deaths. At least no one who came up here with us. I haven't heard any details yet about casualties on the ground." Vreta was interrupted for a few seconds as the medical drone floated over to fulfill Freyr's request. It produced a bottle of water, made from polymer with a straw built-in. Vreta waited for the drone to return to its dormant position before continuing. "I know what happened down there was stressful for…many reasons. I've already been debriefed on my experience, and I'm sure they're going to want to do the same for you, but you don't have to worry about that right this second. You can rest and recover. Catch your breath. We weren't really able to bring our belongings with us when we evacuated. I don't know yet exactly how far the fires spread. They'll send word if there is anything we can recover. In the meantime, Marae did stop by earlier to bring you some clothes she got for you. I told her you would probably want some while you are here, but, umm…" Vreta rubbed his hand over the back of his neck as he awkwardly gestured to the table beside her bed. Laid out on it were a few garments that seemed to have been picked out by someone with absolutely no concept of Human fashion. There was a fine, expensive green suit jacket, a pair of baggy, tie-dye cargo shorts, dark blue dress shoes, some nearly knee-length rainbow-patterned socks, and to top it all off an exceptionally wide-brimmed sun hat with a fake feather. "I, um, think she just liked the colors." Vreta remarked, clearing his throat. "We can get you some more, in a little while. Things are still a bit chaotic."</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr struggled to comprehend what Vreta was telling her. Were those noises in the back of her head memories of deafening in-atmosphere engines and explosions? She received the bottle sippy cup and greedily drank from it, peering blankly over at the assortment of clothing. The water trickled down her dry pipes, invigorating her slightly, but her mind still span. "Was there an attack? My memory is a little hazy…"</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta nodded, pausing a few moments as he looked around for a chair to pull up alongside her bed. He let out a long, slow breath as he took his seat. "Yes. The story I have heard is that terrorists hijacked two large ships and sent them hurdling towards the arcology. Between ground-based defenses and a Rothian drone squadron, they were able to stop them from crashing into the buildings completely, but they still dealt some damage. Like I said, a lot of fires. They also managed to get some hacked industrial droids in the building after us, but we fought them off and managed to evacuate. I…took a hard hit or two on the way out myself, but it was nothing serious. You were already hooked up to the medical droids being treated at the time, after you passed out." Vreta looked up to the Rothian doctor. "Does she need to stay here, or is she free to leave?" The doctor turned her focus to Freyr directly. "You are not considered to be at risk anymore. While I do highly recommend a psychological evaluation, your body appears to be perfectly fine. Still, I do want to keep you monitored for at least the next day, just to be safe. The sensor links on you will keep a constant check on your vitals and let us record the data. You don't need to stay in this bed for that, though. As long as you're on the ship, the sensors can connect to the network." Across Freyr's body were a handful of small, translucent disks attached to her skin at various points. Each were no larger than a centimeter in diameter, and were non-intrusive to the point that she had likely not even noticed them until the doctor pointed them out. They caused no irritation or other discomfort, at least.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr looked down at her hands briefly when the Doctor mentioned a sensory uplink, but couldn't spot anything attached to her. She looked back up at them. "Thank you. I will get up soon and see how I feel." She looked back to Vreta, trying to process what he was saying. "Terrorists? But…who-" Her fuzzy brain suddenly etched a portrait of the man who'd apprehended them on the bridge, on their way to the Cradle those weeks ago. His lips moved: "You have the power to stop this, before it's too late." The tattoo of a scythe under his eye wiggled as he smiled, revealing a set of sharpened synthetic teeth. "If you don't, well…the Guild doesn't look kindly on traitors." "Skinners? Why do they want to kill us? We're just trying to understand what we've gotten ourselves into…" Dr Lang searched Vreta'Sori's reptilian eyes, as if to find the answer to her question.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta shrugged lightly, leaning back in his chair. "It could be the Skinners. That is who our enemy have presented themselves as being. But, we've only encountered holograms and hacked robots so far. They could just be a scapegoat being used by some other group. Our people are going to need to do their own investigation to confirm who these terrorists really are, one way or another." Vreta leaned forward and clasped his hands together, looking down on Freyr with a soft expression. "Like I said before, though, we're safe here. Whoever our enemy might be, they have clearly infiltrated parts of your government in some capacity, but they certainly haven't infiltrated a Rothian crew. Every other Human brought on board right now has to be thoroughly vetted.. Right now, it's really just the science team, and your doctors. And in case you were worried about anything having happened to you while unconscious, don't be. You've been hooked into a Rothian medical drone from the moment we evacuated the arcology up to now, and those things can keep track of every molecule that enters or leaves your body. You haven't been poisoned, or anything of the like. As for outside threats, I don't care what weapons they acquire, they are not going to be able to get through a Rothian cruiser's shields before we can jump out of the system. You can rest for as long and as deeply as you need." For the moment, the doctors seemed to have little else they needed to do. The data flowing from the sensor link provided a continuously updated picture of her physical of her current physical health that they could access anytime, from anywhere. If anything went wrong with her, they would know about it right away, regardless of where they were. Vreta felt he had said enough to address any worries she might have had about their immediate safety, so he started to look ahead. "Aside from that, I do know that Marae has been anxious for you to wake up. She was…shaken by the attack, but she seems to be focusing on getting to work now. According to her, the lab has all the equipment you need to analyze the data we already have, even faster and more thoroughly than before. My advice would still be for you to get some rest and recover, but I know you've been anxious to get back to work yourself these last few weeks."</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr nodded, mulling things over while taking another long sip of water. It scared her to death, not knowing who was pulling the strings. Her work on the Cradle over the past decade had given her a glimpse of how labyrinthine the corridors of power on Outremer. But it felt like ever since the jewel in her adopted home planet's crown had woken up, some kind of long-arranged plan had begun to unfold. People were saying one thing to her face, and then doing completely the opposite. Looking at Vreta, Dr Lang realised that she did trust him. But she couldn't shake the feeling that every Rothian she'd met was reading from a script - at least at certain times. The Rahn'Saki had looked like they were wearing a mask at their first formal conference. The lack of discord among their lizard friends troubled her. Freyr watched Vreta continue talking while she mulled things over, only half listening. Then, an encrypted message popped up on her neural net through the cruiser's distribution network. It was from Masgard Xandrus - her eyes clouded over while she accessed it. Hey. Glad to hear you're awake. Did you get my get-well-soon gift? Pretty much the entire government wants to talk to you. I've told them you need time, but i don't know if i can stall them for long. Let me know when you're ready to face them. M Freyr closed down her neural interface and sighed. "It seems I am in high demand." She contemplated the prospect of getting back to work, and immediately got the imprint of a voice whispering in her ear, and her face submerged in water. Her heart began pounding in her chest, and Freyr's next few breaths were fast and juddery. Then all of a sudden it was gone. "I don't know…if I can face working today. How is my team? How is, erm, Wallace? She was there before I passed out. With those two masked people."</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr leaned back away from Vreta'Sori. She didn't like talking about her body. "Both - my implants are mostly geared towards helping me inside the Cradle. I don't go on about it, but I see it differently to you. Having all these data overlays lets me understand it in real time. It's a gift and a curse really…" She drifted off, then continued after a moment. "If I properly look inside my own head, I'm scared of what I'll find. That is why I've avoided it for so long." "Doctor Lang!" A voice called. Freyr looked around, but couldn't see the source of the sound. There was just the path they had departed from to sit on the side of the grassy knoll. "Freyr!" The sound was closer this time. Freyr looked behind her and smiled with recognition when she found Dr Kim striding down towards them. She got up and the young scientist embraced her heartily, careful not to drop his stim-stick. "I'm glad to see you up and moving. We were all so worried!" "Thanks to our Rothian friends, I'm fine now." Freyr replied. Dr Kim glanced warily at Vreta'Sori. "We're in a tent on the other side of this thing." He motioned to the long, low hill they were standing on. "A bot just showed up with a big basket of fruit." Kim laughed. "I knew you wouldn't be far behind. Come, I'll show you." Together, they scaled the hill. From the summit they looked out over a small field with trees for shade on the edge of a river. An octagonal grey tent stood in the field, with a few people Freyr instantly recognised conversing outside. "It's good to be out of the safe house, even if this place is just an illusion of space." Dr Kim sighed contentedly as they strolled towards the tent. "Some of the team want to leave for good though - they've had enough." He warned, shooting his superior and mentor a glance. "I can hardly blame them. It is my fault we're in this mess to begin with - i'll talk to them." Freyr responded.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Given the scale of the atrium, it was not surprising that the team had been able to set up where they pleased. There was enough space for every living person on the ship to live in the atrium full-time, if they needed to. Indeed, some emergency plans involved moving the crew to the atrium to allow them to power down other parts of the ship. Regardless, the Human team had seemed to have settled in well enough. The tent they were using was of Rothian make, and was designed for rapid, but effective shelter in any environment. It was made from a smart polymer that could be flexible like cloth to be arranged into any needed shape, then, when activated, could harden into a tough, rigid plastic. The polymer could be shifted manually, or automatically with programmable presets. Currently, it seemed like their tent was simply arranged into an open area with plenty of space for whatever equipment they wanted to have with them. The location they had chosen had what Vreta would consider a certain, idyllic charm. It was open, on a gentle hill near a river. Somewhat closeby, Vreta could see one of the waterfalls from one of the atrium walls. Like much of the rest of the chamber, the walls were intended to blend seamlessly with the environment it presented, so they had the appearance of natural barriers, rather than artificial ones. This waterfall had the appearance of flowing down from a short, but steep rock cliff face. Personally, Vreta felt like he might end up getting distracted if he were to try to work "outside" like this, but he could see how it could help the team to cope with all the stress they had been through. Vreta did not want to interrupt Freyr or her team, but he did shoot her a message to respond to what she had said to him. "I understand how you feel, and I know the pressure you're under, being the leader of all these people. Especially now, with all they've been through. Not a lot of Rothians are comfortable with danger, and I can't imagine it's 'that' much easier for Humans. Still, though, you do need to remember to look out for yourself, too. Your well-being is just as important as theirs. If you decide to accept it, whenever you are feeling ready, we can get you the help you need. Whatever we might find, we'll be ready to face it." Vreta gave a look around the area, taking in a deep breath and speaking out loud this time. "After all this chaos, I do think it would be good for your team to hear from you. Maybe we should get everyone together, your team and Marae's. This is a perfect place, just rest by the river, sit in the sand. Talk. Air out concerns, grievances, and figure out our path going forward."</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang "That sounds like a plan." Freyr agreed. The large tent was bereft of much heavy equipment. Instead, a dozen holos projected mountains of data visualisations onto whiteboards, the walls and even the ceiling. Academics of both species stood around talking, sitting quietly and running through simulations in their head or writing out structures to make sense of it all. The groups were more mixed than before, but there was still quite a clear separation between the Rothian & Human cadres. Most of the Human team greeted their leader returning with relief. They'd been to her bedside earlier, but the doctors had ushered them away to let Freyr rest. She did notice though that some people didn't come and say hello. They clumped together in pockets throughout the space and watched her with interest. Eventually, quiet fell in the tent when it became clear Dr Lang wanted to address them. "Hi everyone." She began, searching for the words. "I think we all need to talk."</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori After Freyr's answer, Vreta silently messaged Marae to get the rest of the team together. Most of the science team was in and around the atrium, but there were some who were elsewhere in the ship, including Marae herself. They did have to wait a few minutes for the stragglers to trickle in and join them. It did not take long for Nirann to join them. Rather than repair the damage to his body, he had moved to an entirely new frame. He seemed to have moved to a different model of military droid. It was still a Rothian-like droid, though this one was noticeably taller with plating that seemed thicker. Whatever else might have been different from the previous droid was not visible from the outside. Marae had been in a different part of the ship when Freyr awoke, so she was one of the last to join them in the tent. Pretty much right away as she saw Freyr, she rushed up to her arms outstretched. She seemed to be all smiles and excitement as she pulled her into a tight hug. Whatever the rest of the team might have been feeling, she was certainly in a good mood in the moment. "Ah, I was so glad when I heard you had woke up. I trust our doctors of course, but it's nice to see in person that their diagnosis was correct. I see you got the outfit I gave you; do you like it? Did I do a good job on it?"</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr returned Marae's hug in kind. It was good to see her - their bond had been forged mainly through a mutual love of science. But the main thing that drew Freyr to the pre-eminent AI specialist was that she wore her heart on her sleeve. "Thank you. Yes, very good job." Freyr beamed, eliciting smirks from a few on her team. "Let's go and stretch our legs." As a loose group of incongruously dressed individuals, the scientists exited their big tent and meandered through the shaded field, talking quietly among themselves. After a minute or two, Freyr found herself on the edge of the river. Well, it was quite thin for a river at this point. More of a babbling brook that washed over a bed of smooth stones. Some of them shone in the artificial light… "Boss?" Freyr woke from her reverie. She realised she must have been staring into the water. She turned and found everyone gathered around. Some were looking round at the scenery but most were focused solely on her. For a few moments, she didn't know what to say. So she just started and hoped it would come to her. "Some of us have worked together for a long time. The Rothians here won't know him, but before he was killed in the Cradle, Dr Childermass and I had known each other for some eleven years. Some of you have been experts in the field since before I was born." A little girl laughed, somewhere far behind her. A man called that girl's name. Freyr looked round, but couldn't hear anything out of the ordinary. Just the water. Nothing moved on the other side of the river. She looked back around to face the scientists again. "Together, we've applied learnings from the Cradle to problems that exist in our reality. How do we…communicate, across the vastness of space? How do we provide long-term energy sufficiency to new and remote colonies? How do we shield space-faring vessels against harm? All of these advances in technology were catalysed in this…thing, we found underground." All faces were watching her now. She studied them. "But now, the problem is the Cradle itself. It has killed thousands of innocents. The entity buried on Rothia - the Navigator - It says it was running. Running from something it says is even more powerful, and unfriendly. It wants our help, but I swore to protect you when I took this job. And I can't guarantee safety anymore. I don't know if anyone can."</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang The atmosphere was…tense, to say the least, as the teams once again moved their whole lives to a new base. Drones did all the hard work, so Freyr spent most of her time rallying support from her senior colleagues. They all knew now that she had broken their curfew to go to a party. Their loyalty to their boss had prevented them from voicing concerns publicly, but they made it clear that it hadn't reflected well on her or them. Even though Freyr protested in the strongest possible terms that it was a data-gathering exercise with a senior diplomat, without evidence they couldn't comment on it either way. --- A group of military transports took them the short distance between the Faultless Spear and the Barbarossa. When they arrived, the ship was a hive of activity - Captain Andersen was busy with another matter, so they were shown back to their lab. While they were setting up and recalibrating their specialist equipment, two doctors came and introduced themselves to Freyr. "Dr Lang, would you like to follow us for your psychological assessment?" One of them asked politely. After some hesitation, Freyr nodded and followed them out of the lab again.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Rareth'Jharn was aboard the Barbarossa, though she had not yet interacted with the science team. She trusted they would be able to re-establish themselves in the new facilities, and she had much of her own to do in the meantime. Her purpose in negotiating for a Rothian security detail on the Barbarossa was mostly to maintain a strong Rothian presence in the project at all levels, but that did not mean she would not take her new role seriously. She intended to fully-integrate her team with the Barbarossa's own security forces. Void Company was mostly autonomous in how they chose to operate, but the rest she directed to maintain, as close as possible, a standard of security that would be acceptable on a Rothian ship. Patrols were easy enough to keep constant with robotic security, so it was in surveillance and screening that she placed most of her personal attention. Her first day on the ship, and she had already spent hours speaking with the captain about her requests, which she expected she would need to do many more times during this mission. Early the next morning, Rareth had taken for herself one of the officers' briefing rooms. She had just sent a request to the captain for background checks on all of the ship's crew, and was going straight into a meeting with the Committee. Naturally, its other members were not all aboard the Barbarossa, but the briefing room had access to a full holographic communications interface. Ignoring the chairs that were entirely too small for her, she stood as the sensors scanned her body and projected a holographic version of herself in their digital meeting room. There was a short wait for all of the relevant members of the committee to join the meeting, but once they had, Rareth wasted no time. "Apologies for cutting short the formalities, but there is much to do today. The science team is in the process of setting up on the Barbarossa. No meaningful difficulties at the moment, so I expect we will keep to our minimum timetable. We need to be ready to depart as soon as possible. To that end, I can approve the deployment of a corvette division from Rothia to reconnoiter the system ahead of our arrival."</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang "We should wait until we can substantiate this lead before committing any military resources to such a distant location." Benoit Souza spoke up. He'd been promoted from domestic intelligence to Naval Intelligence director by the new administration. You named Plenipotentiary Wallace as the source but, where is she?" A few more faces had joined the meeting since they'd started, but none of them were the silver haired senior diplomat. "Hear, hear!." João Sequeira boomed. Previously Under-Secretary of the Diplomatic Corps on Outremer, he had also been kept around after his failed bid to succeed President. "The position itself is obsolete, yet we still have them. Why? We cannot get rid of them, and believe me I tried. They are too powerful! Whatever Wallace has claimed must be properly scrutinised; she could be tricking us into advancing her interests." "Quite right." Souza purred. The agency director was much softer-spoken than the former diplomat, but carried a certain calculating gravitas. "Even if this lead turns out to be worth pursuing, we can't just show up with a battle group. For those of you that weren't in the original briefing, let me explain why." Souza shared a 3D hologram of a planetary system with the group. Three planets orbiting around two suns. Souza zoomed in on the smallest of the three planets - it was lush and green, with very little visible water and small spots of desert. "This is Psi-Helios. 27 years ago the system was surveyed and a previously uncontacted civilisation found. The Tindrel and Qalian-Vosh both claimed the system as part of their ecumene. To avoid all-out war, elements from Earth petitioned the galactic community to declare this new civilisation part of the Control program. This means the system was given demilitarised status and peacekeepers deployed."</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Rareth gave little in her reaction for the others to observe. After Marae and agent Vreta had alerted her to Wallace's tip, she had received her own report on the situation from the Rahn'Masser. Unfortunately, even they lacked recent information on how the system's situation had developed. Its location was far from Rothian territory and overall sphere of influence. The only reason they had justification to be involved at all was the presence of the primitives in the system. Pre-FTL civilizations were protected by international treaties from outside interference, even within sovereign territory. Of course, the amount of exceptions and conditions written into those treaties could fill out the space of entire novels. For the Tindrel and Qualian-Vosh, having any presence within the system skirted the edge of the law, but as of yet they had not provably violated it in any meaningful way. On occasion, the Rothian military could send stealth corvettes to carefully observe the situation from far outside any other species' effective sensor range. They could determine if there were any signs of uncharacteristically advanced technology in too close of proximity to the planet, but their last observation was months ago. "Bear in mind, we are the ones who would be substantiating the Plenipotentiary's claim. If we had other, more likely leads, then I would suggest following them. But, as it stands, waiting around here debating on what to do next, as we have been for weeks, will end only with us doing nothing. The forces that may be arrayed against us will keep marching their plans forward regardless of whether or not we do anything to challenge them. I do not know many of you, nor what you value, but I prefer to have some say in my own fate." She said, pausing a moment as her gaze moved slowly around the virtual room. "Again, I intend to authorize a division of corvettes to scout the system from outside sensor range ahead of our arrival to identify any potential points of danger. They will not be detected by the Tindrel, Qualian-Vosh, nor the natives."</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Some of the delegates talked privately among themselves for a few moments. Eventually it was decided to manage the facts themselves rather than let the Rothians find out some other way. There was a pause, then Benoit Souza spoke quietly again. "We know Psi-Helios is dangerous already. In fact, it's a powder-keg that's ready to blow. Our assets think the Tindrel and QV have discovered some unique properties of the plant-like organism that now covers most of the planet's surface. They both want to control the synthesis of whatever it is, or at least stop the other. It is a delicately balanced situation which we feel will be best left to…recalibrate naturally." João took over. "We need you to promise not to interfere. Outremer cannot be seen to take sides in this conflict. Since this is a joint venture, any intervention made by Rothia which then later involves Outremer will not reflect well on anyone.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori "The potential danger posed by these machines far exceeds the economic benefit of a plant. I frankly am not interested in playing these pointless political games." Rareth responded. Her gaze moved around the room across the meeting's various participants. The kinds of debates this Committee invited were tedious and frustrating, but if there was one advantage here, it was that not all of them were in agreement. Certainly, some favored action, and if Rareth could deliver a reasonable path to taking that action, she could gain support. Rareth took in a short, deep breath, followed by a light sigh. "These machines could threaten the Tindrel and Qualian-Vosh just as much as they could for us. If they are threatened as well, then the Rahn'Saki will want to inform them of the risk. They have a right to be able to defend themselves, and we certainly would not mind having the support of as many species as possible in a united defense against this threat. I believe you may be…overthinking your approach to this political situation. We can simply explain our involvement with the truth. We are being guided to Psi-Helios in pursuit of a potential threat to our galaxy's safety. Our intrusion into this interspecies spat over a plant is pure coincidence. We will be taking no sides, and they need not know in what ways you may or may not have already been watching them. If you are still so concerned about political fallout, then let us take the lead. You can present yourselves as merely being dragged along our warpath in the interest of mutual defense, and my people can deal with the politics later."</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang "What of these combine ships - can we link them to Psi-Helios?" Outremer's interim leader broke his silence and appeared prominently on a large window. Lord High Admiral Hale was a military man with nearly one hundred years of experience, his voice crackled like old parchment, but his grey-blue eyes were still bright. Group Admiral Zihdren puffed out - this was his moment. "Their attacks grow in frequency and strength, my lord. The Navy has repelled their advances and tried to board and disable them. Unfortunately they have some sort of self-destruct mechanism. No significant wreckage remains." "And we have no other avenues of inquiry?" Benoit Souza answered. "We have begun to dispatch teams to known inhabited worlds, but the process-". "Then there is no time to waste. Summon the Tindrel and Qalian-Vosh ambassadors today - inform them of the threat in broad terms and explain that Outremer and Rothia will be conducting joint exercises around the Psi-Helios system as a precaution. They can either fall in line or be destroyed. Hale's eyes focused on Datius Jharn, towering over her in the conference room. "I think it's time to put our new alliance to good use."</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang They decided to contact the Tindrel representatives first. The Tindrel embassy on Babylon was among the biggest. But it was also located relatively close to the Tower of Babel. So, they had been among the first to evacuate when the Navigator was reunited with the Cradle beneath the city. The Ambassador and most staff had been relocated under police escort to a row of townhouses on one side of a prestigious planned square called Félicien Place: The houses were purposefully nostalgic, and the Tindrel were too large for the Human-sized rooms, so they had fallen back on the old ways. Junior staff clung to the ceiling with four of their legs as they worked. The higher up the hierarchy you were, the lower you were to the ground. Specialised equipment was stacked up in corners. The Ambassador had been writing his report for his superiors on Tind when the request came through. Patching through on a secure line, he saw a row of faces looking at him. Some of the faces were very recognisable, and not all Human. Very curious. His mandibles tapped together instinctively, and he shifted from one set of legs to the other. "Firm greetings of this day to you all. What is the meaning of this ambush?"</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori "Greetings, Ambassador." Taranik'Nhet began. She paused a moment, taking in a long breath as she gave one more glance to her notes in front of her. "Unfortunately, as you can probably imagine, it is not good news that is bringing us together right now. Forgive me if we skip some pleasantries, but to avoid keeping you in suspense, I am going to get straight to the business at hand. We have recently become aware of a potential, military threat, not only to our nation, but possibly every nation in our galactic community. Datius Rareth, would you…" Her voice trailed off to become inaudible over the call as she gestured to Rareth. The Datius stepped forward, serving as more of a "military" presence to state the facts about this threat they were describing. "Last week, Rothian space was attacked by a foe of unknown origin, with unknown capabilities. These ships were operated entirely by artificial lifeforms. They attacked, then self-destructed once disabled. There have been no friendly casualties thusfar, though we believe it likely that these were merely scouts, so the true capabilities of this foe are, as I said, still unknown. As of this moment, they have only been found in Rothian, or unclaimed space, but approach vectors for ships we have detected have placed them as moving towards the territory of other species as well. We have no reason to believe they will restrict their attentions to us." Taranik continued right away from where Rareth left off. "We are contacting you now to inform you of this threat, and to invite your people to join in our response to it."</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang The Ambassador gurgled within his chest cavity. "I am a Tindrel representative to Outremer, not Rothian space… João what say you?" Tindrel language was an eclectic mix of gurgles, subvocals and clicks - but this translation sounded to the senior diplomat like how he imagined an eloquent house parrot might speak. Most of the Committee had left for other engagements by now, including Lord Hale. He and Souza could approach this however he wanted. "This is a courtesy call. So far we don't have any evidence to suggest these ghost ships are more than some isolated incident." João barely had time to finish before the Ambassador interrupted. "Hmmmm. Ok. Thanks for letting us know. I will inform my superiors."</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori "A 'courtesy' this may be, but I would advise taking our warning more seriously than some…others are." Rareth remarked. "It is much better to over-prepare for a minor threat than to under-prepare for a major one." Taranik spoke up quickly to steer the conversation towards their most pressing issue. The Outremans were hesitant about giving too much information away. Rareth was going to be negotiating in favor of further disclosure to their allies, but for now, Rareth was being patient enough to wait instead of proceeding without the Outremans' agreement. At the moment, Taranik would only give away some of what they knew. "Indeed, and part of that preparation is why we are contacting you first. We are attempting to get to the heart of this threat before it has a chance to cause any major damage. That investigation, from my understanding, is leading us to a system in which the Tindrel have a presence. Are you familiar with the Psi-Helios system? We require access to that system for the investigation to proceed."</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang The Tindrel Ambassador burbled quietly, then turned off sound and talked to someone off-holo for a while. João Sequeira conferred with Benoit Souza too - they had become quite a formidable team in the maelstrom following the government dissolution. Their goals seemed to change by the hour, but that was all part of a front for organised defence of Outremer's holdings and status abroad. Finally, the Ambassador resumed the conversation after twenty minutes. This was quite common with the Tindrel. "That is a Demilitarised Control system. As part of the agreement, Tindrel, Qalian-Vosh and Earther parties must consent to any civilian access. What is your objective here?"</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori "Nothing more or less than to guarantee the security of ourselves and our allies." Rareth answered without hesitation. "Our efforts to investigate and address this new threat leads us to Psi-Helios." Taranik did her best to complement Rareth's arguments, while keeping more of a diplomatic attitude. "Naturally, we are not expecting you to give us a final answer here and now. We know you do not even have the authority to unilaterally grant this request on the Tindrel's behalf. We just want you to be informed, so you can convey the…importance of this request to your superiors." "The Rahn'Saki considers this a priority request." Rareth emphasized. They were words which held weight, considering how rarely they were invoked. A priority request from the Rahn'Saki was not something most diplomats would ever hear, and not something one would ignore. --- Through the day, the council gave similar requests to all the relevant parties to this decision. It was a demand on short notice for some, but Rareth was sure to thoroughly convey the importance of the meeting to each and every one of them. For the Rahn'Saki to take such direct interest in any matter meant that, whatever the subject was, it would have ramifications across an entire civilization. For them to call upon so many nations at once, simply put, was almost unprecedented. The last time this had happened had been long before the lifetimes of any of the other representatives. The hour was getting late, but there would be no stopping until this matter was resolved. In the time they had been waiting, Rareth had been on her own calls back to Rothia, though even the other Rothians were not privy to the details of those meetings. It was an hour or so before the meeting was scheduled to begin that she sent a request (or polite demand, more accurately), to the other Outreman representatives to join her in a call. Taranik was the one who sent the request and, in as diplomatic of a way as possible, made sure to be clear that this meeting was not optional. Rareth had stated before that Taranik would be joining her for negotiations, so her absence in the call was conspicuous. Given that this summit with the other nations was drawing ever closer, Rareth wasted no time in getting to business. "Before we bring this to the other species, the Rahn'Saki want to make sure we are all in clear agreement on how this is going to go."</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Joao Sequiera, Benoit Souza and their retinues had been co-ordinating the Outreman side of the preparations from cars. While heading to LHA Hale's chosen residence, the supercarrier OSC Latinkon, they'd been desperately calling round their Tindrel & QV contacts. The Rothians had pressed ahead with a meeting of five civilisations to discuss Psi-Helios, and all their skeletons were poised to leap out of the closet. Eventually, the two senior officials had to brief Hale on Outremer's activity in the system, or risk him finding out from someone else. A Naval Intelligence blacksite may have been training indigenous proxies to fight prospectors from the other three treaty participants. Other operators may have been intentionally provoking the Tindrel & Qalian-Vosh, to stimulate the supply of advanced weapons to both sides. "Oh you fucking cretins. Why didn't you tell me before?" Hale shouted at them from behind his desk, deep within the supercarrier's hull. "We didn't want you to get mixed up in all this. Outreman's are already angry at the establishment for all the unpleasantness in the Cradle. We were trying to manage this covertly." Souza shot back. Both of them were stood at the other end of the desk, hands clasped behind their backs. Hale sighed, steepling his long bony fingers on the desk. "Tell me everything then. We don't have much time." --- "We have options when it comes to Psi-Helios, Datius Jharn. When it comes to our Cradle, things become a lot more tricky." LHA Hale replied, waggling one finger. "These aliens have been trying to get their grubby appendages on our crown jewel for a hundred years or more! They won't be so tolerant of its eccentricities and flashes of insanity. They will enslave the Cradle-proper to work for them, crippled and braindead. My men tell me the Navigator is still not fully bonded with the Cradle - it can be separated off and destroyed." Hale was a great orator, with a clear and distinguished voice. "We can't afford to let that happen." Benoit Souza jumped in. "By contrast, the Psi-Helios situation is much more fluid. Our sources close by have said both sides have been massing troops on either side of the system for months. If we tell them something like the Navigator or the Cradle is hidden beneath their feet, there is no predicting what they'll do."</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Brasikha did not hesitate for even a moment, not even requiring time to think, seemingly, before he could give his answer. "Your fortress stands alone, as it always has. Sequestered, strong, but solitary. You have shown yourself adept at protecting yourselves, but will you protect others? For our allies, that shall be a vital question." With a wave of his hand, Brasikha brought up a screens with relevant notes about the Hegemon in front of each of the committee members. "We know precious little about our foe, but what we do know is revealing. It seeks not destruction, but domination. The reverence and service of life to itself to ends unknown. Life does not always fight to the death. In fact, it tends towards survival more often than not. To fight that instinct, to take risks in spite of death beyond the resolve of mere animals requires conviction. It requires belief in a cause worth risking a life. The time may come when our enemy forces a choice between servitude and extinction upon our allies. If we lie to our allies, manipulate them, treat them as servants instead of partners, then what makes us any better masters than the machines? What makes our cause, our fight for self-determination, worth dying for to them?"</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang "Oh, nothing." Hale tapped his mahogany desk with his index finger's nail. "We protect ourselves first, and always have, because we can never expect the same from them. This isn't just about the Tindrel and the QV, but Angjusk, the Renaissance, the whole Diaspora. They all stand to exploit this crusade. Even Earth." Benoit Souza and João Sequeira bristled at the thought, looking at each other. "With all due respect, All-Conqueror, I expected a longer term view from you. You and many of your kind would have been alive when Human civilisation ripped itself apart."</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Once again, Brasikha's response came almost startlingly quickly. "You speak of my ancient title. It was a title of a man who saw in his mind a clear future. A title that speaks of military conquest. Of domination. It was the title of a man who would bring order to chaos, and it was the title of a man who lacked perspective." Though he still acted aware of the others, there was still a somewhat unnerving stare from him towards Hale. "The perspective of time is one of my perspectives, yes. The one often associated with Rothians. For me, it has felt like nations rise and fall as if with the tides. I have seen the cycle play out repeatedly among Rothians, Humans, and most other intelligent species. They do not all share the same cause, of course, but self-interest even in the face of disaster is one that repeats. It has never been the way of the Rahn'Saki to intercede in the waxing and waning of alien civilizations. You have the right to determine your own course as much as we do. But, this crisis threatens more than you." Finally, there was just a slight pause, and for the briefest of moments, it seemed like he might have actually been thinking. Though, the delay was still short-lived. "Before I continue, I would ask you this: what exactly is it that you fear to lose should the other species learn of the potential threat we have identified in the form of the Hegemon?"</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Hale breathed in heavily. One hand played with the picture of three girls that faced him on the side of his desk. "We'll lose our independence. We'll lose our whole way of life, that's come from centuries of co-existence with the Cradle." He put the picture back. Even if the Hegemon doesn't exist, I fear this is exactly the sort of excuse Earth will use to reunite our 'little federation'. Their influence runs deep in our society, even today." "Forgive me, but I feel we're drifting from the more pressing issue of access to the Psi-Helios system." Benoit Souza interjected. "All we need right now, is a promise that our teams can enter unmolested. We can promise to leave the locals alone if we think that will do any good."</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori "A dramatic, but vague answer." Brasikha replied. He was not intent on letting them change the subject before they had come to some agreement, one way or another. "How, precisely, do you anticipate that you will lose your independence? Do you fear invasion? Economic isolation? Alone, these concerns perhaps could be valid. But I do not think you realize what it is the Rahn'Saki are proposing. These concerns, petty divisions, will only serve to weaken us at a time when we must be united. It is time, we believe, for the Rahn'Saki to pursue closer ties between all of our species. What we are proposing is to sign a defensive pact between all nations of this accord. If you want security for your people's future, then there is no better path." What the Rahn'Saki were proposing was no symbolic gesture nor minor appeasement to their concerns. To agree to a defensive pact would be a greater commitment of military force than the galaxy had ever seen from the Rothians. They had been famously reluctant to commit to any military promises in the past, but for a defensive pact, all signatories would be required to defend any member nation should they be attacked. To declare war on Outremer would be to declare war on Rothia, and of course, every other nation would also receive the same benefit. Having the most advanced fleet in the galaxy willing to come to their defense would be a tempting reason to sign. If two major military superpowers, Rothia and Outremer, were already agreeing to forming this alliance, then any nation that did not join would be placing themselves at a severe political disadvantage.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang "I fear having to rely on anyone apart from ourselves. As I just said, we'd be opening up to others who have proven themselves to be fickle and predatory. The Outreman people don't deserve that." Hale said. "And I fear that if we tell the other civilisations what may be hidden on this planet, they will try to take it for themselves." Joao Sequeira chimed in. "Because that gives them leverage over proceedings." --- The exam room was cold. Goosebumps rippled down Freyr's bare arms as she stepped out from behind the changing screen. She was now clad in a lightweight bathing suit with buoyancy blocks positioned around her midriff. The doctors were waiting for her by the pod. One held a headpiece with a multitude of wires protruding from the back. The other held pads which looked like they were for her body. Masgard Xandrus stood nearby with his arms crossed. He smiled encouragingly, though a look of concern flashed across his eyes.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori "And so we reach the core of the problem." Brasikha responded. "Outremer is always…alone. You may not cut yourself off completely from the outside, but you still place more barriers than bridges to other nations. When Rothia reached the stars, we found ourselves alone. Of all the civilizations we know of in our little corner of the universe, we were the first to start settling the galaxy. But as we explored, made contact, found others, we sought to connect with them, to understand them, to integrate our civilizations. Your fears do not come from nothing. It is natural for any species to covet power for themselves. Power gives them greater ability to determine their own fate; it is why you are protective of it. But, in our centuries of diplomacy and observation, we have come to understand their desires, their capabilities, their limits. They covet power, like anyone else, but they will not destroy themselves for it." With a thought, Brasikha brought forward another hologram, one rather dense with information. It was a representation of the galaxy, marked with both political and unofficial boundaries showing territories, concentrations of ships and other military assets, settled planets, sources of resources, and trade routes. "It is debatable whether any of these factions could even defeat Outremer's substantial defenses alone. Not without great losses. To challenge both of us together would be impossible for them. In order to make war upon two militaries they cannot defeat would also require taking on ruinous economic sanctions for their actions. And for every nation that agrees to our terms to join our alliance, the consequences of aggression against us becomes even more dire. Beyond that, we may offer incentives for accepting. The Rahn'Saki have never entered into any promise of military aid before, but for this crisis, we have judged the measure to be acceptable." For a moment, there was a pause, and what might have even been a shred of satisfaction in the Rothian's expression. "But the most impactful incentive could come from you. I believe you have an expression for this…'you catch more flies with honey than vinegar'. If you wish to satisfy outside jealousy over the Cradle, we would recommend integrating their scientists into our team as you have for us. Give them a way to learn of the Cradle peacefully and violence will be unnecessary. Laughable, even, for all the risk it would carry for them. Their skills and perspectives may even be useful in this project. They will make technological gains from the concession of partial access, certainly, but not as much as you with full access. You will retain your advantage with the Cradle, while providing a powerful incentive for these other nations to accept our alliance, lest they fall behind their peers."</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Hale massaged both his cheeks with one hand and stared into space for a moment. Brasikha made a very convincing argument. It was important that Outremer's new administration was decisive on the Cradle, not least to calm public panic in the short term. That was why the military had assumed transitional authority after all. Brokering this ambitious new defensive pact would give the Lord High Admiral an impressive policy to sell domestically. It would cushion an announcement that they had collectively decided to help reunite the Cradle beings, and provide comfort when news about the Hegemon's presumed advances inevitably went public. Hale was a shrewd political operator, and knew there was no way to bring Outremer's military or government totally in line. Siding with the Rothians would certainly make him very unpopular in some circles. He'd need to tread carefully. "My lord?" Souza prompted eventually. "Very well. We can try it your way and start a limited defensive pact, covering the Hegemon threat, with the immediate aim of de-escalating Psi-Helios. But, I want discretion on when and how we approach Earth with this offer. I want to see whether we can bring the Tindrel & Qalian-Vosh to heel first. As for the science teams - what does the savant Dr Lang think? Souza & Sequiera looked at each other, then Souza replied. "I believe the Cradle Institute is taking the lead on optimising our team now."</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori There was some degree of agreement between the parties, at least. Of course, they still needed to bring their proposition to the Tindrel and Qalian-Vosh. The negotiations with Earth could come at a later time. Ironically, given the history between them, it would likely be more difficult for Outremer's government to negotiate with their fellow Humans than anyone else. For now, though, they could at least bring the other two species to the negotiating table. All parties to the meeting had been alerted ahead of time of, in general terms, what the meeting would be about and who would be present. There were few surprises when the representatives gathered, except, perhaps, that the "Rothian representative" was Brasikha himself. Outremer had twice now met with a member of the Rahn'Saki, but being that they had been closed meetings, the fact that the Rahn'Saki were now willing to deal directly with outsiders would come as a surprise. As opposed to the group of representatives from different departments and organizations that Outremer brought, the Rothians had only Brasikha and Rareth. Though, Rareth was taking a backseat in this meeting. Certainly, it was rare for a Datius to fade into the background, but if there was anything that could overshadow them, it would be the Rahn'Saki. As the Humans were the hosts of this meeting, Brasikha gave them the courtesy of taking the lead to start them off. In the interim, Rareth had taken some time to review some relevant documents on the situation at hand, though Brasikha had not seemed to do…anything. At all. Granted, they were in a virtual space, but their avatars simply showed what they were doing in realspace. Brasikha, when he was not engaging with anyone else, could be…remarkably still.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang The Tindrel and Qalian-Vosh delegations were both impressive, considering the short notice. Supreme leaders were conspicuously absent on both sides. But Outremer's civil service identified a senior official from each homeworld, each species' administrator in charge of operations in Psi-Helios and their ambassadors to Outremer and Rothia. It was well documented that the Tindrel carapace and wing-sets adapted in colour and texture to blend with their environment over time. So inevitably they came to be scrutinised at diplomatic gatherings such as these, to understand more about where and what each of them was doing. Sometimes the Tindrel wore their colours with pride, however in this meeting most wore obfuscating jackets which left just their saddle-shaped heads and half dozen eyes visible. The few which didn't had obviously been in space for a long time because they were green-grey; the colour of the inside of their spacecraft. The Qalian-Vosh floated and swam about, but the hologram always kept track and steady. Only slight movements in the background were perceptible; those too had been obfuscated. Their slick, semi-translucent bodies pulsed with colours that reflected both their position within the society and their overall mood. "Welcome. Thank you for joining us. We appreciate this is an irregular summit, but recent developments require us to move quickly." Joao Sequiera began. "We strongly object to their presence here. Tindrel must accept our supervision of the system." The QV administrator said. Without the translator, their speech would sound like a softly bubbling mountain spring. "Bwaa! Qalian-Vosh aggression will not be tolerated! We were there first." The Tindrel administrator squawked.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori "That is not the purpose of this meeting." Brasikha's voice sounded out, loudly and firmly. He did not shout, nor did he show any apparent frustration as his avatar stepped forward into the middle of the digital space. This time, they had made sure all delegates received the proper language updates before they joined, so everyone would be able to understand him clearly. He had not drawn attention to himself at first, but now he would not be waiting on introductions before taking his place in the meeting. It would not take long for him to be recognized, whether naturally or with computer assistance. The Rahn'Saki had always used intermediaries, like diplomats or Datius before, but the face of Brasikha the Eternal Guardian was still a public one. Brasikha did not place himself directly between the Qalian-Vosh and the Tindrel, but the way he stood in the middle of the virtual chamber did draw the eye and seemed to interspace himself between them. His stance was firm, and his voice unflinching. Others could use the flexibility of a virtual space to take liberties with their own physical features, like size, but Brasikha felt no need to exaggerate his stature. He knew exactly where he stood. "The complexities of your conflicts with one another are not going to be solved in one conversation, nor shall we attempt to. We are here because a crisis has presented itself that extends to all of us, and that crisis is drawing us to the Psi-Helios system. The presence of both of you is required." With a thought from Brasikha, a set of holographic documents appeared in front of both the Tindrel and Qalian-Vosh. "This documentation details our encounters with hostile machines of unknown origins that have been encountered near the edges of our territory. Please take a moment to familiarize yourselves with them. We cannot give any certain answers on their purpose or true capabilities, but our investigation is leading us to Psi-Helios. For our security and yours, we need to be able to continue this investigation."</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Both the Tindrel and Qalian-Vosh ambassadors had passed word of this far away threat to their superiors, so the documentation wasn't a shock. The Qalian-Vosh administrator jumped in first. "No one is allowed on the surface. This one feels it could be a plot to make first contact. Out of the question." "You're only concerned this could interfere with your precious Ga-brosh orbital casino!" The Tindrel admin shot back, their holo turning to face their adversary directly. Both representatives were using slang and short-hand, which was putting Outremer's translation software under pressure to find equivalents. "Or is this about the thirteen factories that have just arrived in the system? We won't let you synthesise the…progressive material. It is our property!" The Qalian-Vosh bubbled, gyrating furiously in their holo. "Your shoal ship is already poisoning the atmosphere of the planet. Just admit it, our technology is better suited!" The Tindrel holo clacked closer, til they were already in touching distance.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori "I do not lie." Brasikha interrupted quite firmly. "Should you face any undue economic impact as a direct result of our actions, then we can compensate you. The value of this material is not greater than our collective security." Brasikha stepped forward, slightly closer to coming between them. "By its location, both of you have an obvious interest in Psi-Helios. I will not comment on who has more or less of a claim, but right now, I am requesting that you put this issue aside. If you are truly worried about your position in this system, or any other, then you should be concerned with this new threat. There is no reason to believe that they will respect your borders any more than ours. More than that, though, have you considered that these machines may interrupt your plans for Psi-Helios far more than our investigation ever could? There may be something related to these machines in Psi-Helios, and if they find the system, they will not sit down in a meeting to negotiate with you about it. They will invade, primitives or no, they will take what they want, and they will ruin any chance you have of your plans for the system coming to fruition." He likely had more of their attention now, so he was quick to continue and retain control of the conversation. "I will say, it is not just that we are requesting your cooperation. We also wish to extend to both of you the offer to join our investigation. These machines represent a threat that crosses our borders, so we all have a right to have a hand in our own defense. Outremer has cooperated in the formation of a joint science team to study and understand this threat and our potential solutions…with partial access to the Cradle."</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang It was hard to say whether the QV and Tindrel delegates were significantly moved by talk of impending invasion by some unknown force. They had all heard similar rhetoric before - the galaxy was a dangerous and unstable place after all. Once talk turned to the Cradle however, the mood changed somewhat. Both parties were very interested in access to Outremer's technology and drove a hard bargain. The Human attendees were able to extract multiple concessions in other areas, by playing off the QV and Tindrel against each other. However, there was a private sense that they were promising things that weren't their gift to give. The Institute had taken full control of the Vault and the surrounding complex, and past experience showed they weren't afraid to interdict outsiders. Using the carrot of access to the wider scientific community that was coagulating around the Cradle, the Tindrel & Qalian-Vosh reluctantly agreed to join a non-defensive pact over the next few days of negotiations. The process was exhausting, and not entirely satisfactory for any party, but it was still a tangible and historic step forward. As part of the agreement, the QV and Tindrel authorised a demilitarised expedition to orbit Psi-Helios to begin the search for Cradle beings. Outremer had given a vague outline on the Navigator to help them understand the context, so the alien civs were understandably quite keen to find this thing. The expedition had to be demilitarised, as anything with offensive capabilities at an official level would have to involve Earth, the system's primary peacekeeping force. Earth had a military comparable to Outremer's and a lot more soft power in this region of space. The Tindrel and QV were even less keen to involve them than Outremer, and the latter was essentially still at war with Earth. So the Rothians were unfortunately outnumbered in this decision. A separate agreement was made to conduct joint exercises just outside of the Psi-Helios system. A core fleet composed of Rothian & Outreman ships would act as a firewall between competing QV and Tindrel battle groups. Tensions were still high between the two species, so it was unclear exactly who this smokescreen served.</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr climbed slowly up the metal stepladder and looked into the pod. Her own dimly illuminated face peered back from the mirror-like surface of the water - the wired headpiece cradled her head like a crown of thorns. "You're sure this is safe?" she asked again. "Yes ma'am. We can monitor your vitals from right here on the screen." One of the doctors responded. "Should take five minutes or less. Just lie back and relax." Freyr gingerly swung her legs round until she was sat on the side, before slowly sliding into the water. It was deeper than expected; she couldn't touch the bottom. It was warm, and smelled vaguely of chlorine. The flotation packs on her vest soon spun her round so she was on her back with the back of her head submerged. "Closing the door now, keep your eyes open please." One by one, the lights on the ceiling were blocked out until everything was black. --- Freyr gripped the balustrade tightly. She was on a balcony on some high tower, looking out over endless flatlands. The sky was black and crisscrossed with pink skeins; white wafted through the air. Even though there was no natural light, she could see clearly that thousands of structures were in the process of being built from the same base material as the Cradle itself. Engines, terrariums, menageries, manufacturers, laboratories. The whole plain seemed to creak and clang with the momentum of industry. The little hairs on the back of Freyr's arms and neck raised, and she turned around. The Navigator was standing inches from her, crackling with the energy of a thousand suns. It looked much healthier than it had when they'd last been together; the jagged edges of its form had flattened slightly and it had taken on a purple hue with a white hot outline and tiny spots of orange. Its eyes were still the same red pinpricks. The Navigator studied her for a moment, then looked over her shoulder at the scene taking shape behind her. "Someone like you stood in this very spot, a long time ago." It whispered. "Who were they?" "Our commander, I suppose. Someone we created to lead us." "What do you want from me?" "I want you to be ready, when the time comes. The development of your entire species has been leading to this moment. Your family is depending on you." "Give them back to me!" "I can't do that, the Cradle has them. You must find the others and return them here first. Then we will see which of you is ready-" "Show me they're alive. I'll do whatever you want, just please show me they're safe." "...very well." After a moment, the Navigator stepped to one side - David and Amy were standing in the circular hall leading to the balcony. "Oh my…" Freyr's hands moved to cover her mouth, and her eyes filled with tears. "Mummy!" Amy wrestled free of her father's tight embrace and ran to Freyr. She hadn't aged a day since being taken. "It's ok baby, Mummy's here. She's going to get you out." Freyr sobbed. David came over and joined the hug. "I'll do whatever it takes. I'll kill them all- --- "Doctor Lang!" Freyr opened her eyes to find the pod door opening up again and Masgard reaching in to grab her. Alarms were sounding inside the chamber, and she could hear the doctors communicating loudly nearby. She thrashed around, completely disoriented. Water splashed all over Masgard's face and tailored suit as he hauled her untidily out of the tub. --- Freyr had been sleeping deeply for the last couple of weeks, so felt quite groggy when Vreta's alarm went off ahead of schedule. She quickly got dressed in a grey cotton tracksuit with 'Navy' printed on the front, sensible shoes and her standard issue lab coat, unbuttoned. She tied her hair into a ponytail (it had been growing fast) and opened the door two seconds after Vreta knocked. "Morning! Long time no see." Freyr said with a sarcastic grin, stepping out into the corridor and locking the door behind her before taking the proffered cup of coffee. "Thank you. Why are they so early? That is not how I thought this would go."</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta shrugged, taking a sip from his mug as he walked alongside Freyr. "Well, our superiors don't want to show 'favoritism', so they want to bring them onboard and give them the tour at the same time. The Qalian-Vosh wanted to send someone ahead of their team to double check that the aquatic accommodations we've made for their people will meet all their needs. Makes sense, we're not aquatic ourselves, so we might miss something important for them that we wouldn't normally think about. Of course, we tell the Tindrel and they want to send someone too, but they don't have any reason to send anyone other than the team themselves, so they decide just to go ahead and send their science team. And, of course, since their team is coming, now the QV have to send their team too. One thing leads to another, and…now they're both here and we have to scramble to try to keep them from being alone together for too long." After a moment, Vreta let out a sigh, which soon turned into a light chuckle. "All this drama has been from the bureaucrats, though. Who knows, though? As scientists, maybe their teams will have more rational views towards each other than their leadership?"</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang "Perhaps, but i won't hold my-" Freyr paused as crashing sounds came from the reception atrium in front of them. Human and Rothian shouts were mingled with a harsh nasal tick tocking and a decidedly liquidy slurping. Suddenly, the automatic doors whooshed open and a mess of spindly legs and gel sac exploded out. A large Tindrel female clung onto a QV mobility suit as the waterborne alien furiously writhed around. Using the mass of gel to gain momentum, the QV smashed the Tindrel against the wall. The Tindrel replied by rending the side of the suit with its sharp talon - grey liquid sloshed out before the suit joined back together. More Tindrel and QV spilled from the atrium. Some of them appeared intent on splitting the two up, others looked like they might join in. Freyr stopped where she was and took another slurp of coffee. She shot a sly glance at Vreta and tried not to laugh.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta took a slow sip of his coffee. For a moment, he cradled the mug gently in both hands and let out a soft, but long sigh. After a moment, he reached down and held it out towards Freyr. "Could you hold this for me for a minute, please?" As early as it was, Vreta was far from being in the mood for any of this, but it was not as if he could just avoid it. Maintaining positive relations did constitute most of his job here, after all. He may not have known what sparked this particular confrontation, but by the looks of things, this was not something that was going to be diffused by simple bargaining or shouting. It would require a more personal touch. Vreta walked straight up to the pair and reached out as if to place a hand firmly upon both of their shoulders. Of course, neither had a shoulder he could easily access, but a hand on their exoskeleton and suit respectively sufficed to demand their attention. He made sure to give them no option to simply ignore him. Regardless of how they felt about each other, they might have more hesitation about raising a talon towards their Rothian hosts. "My friends, please allow me to be the first to give you a warm welcome to this team. I'm Vreta, please, tell me your names."</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang At the moment Vreta placed a hand on them, both the offending Tindrel and QV appeared locked together and delicately counterbalanced. After a half-moment of silence where they listened to the Rothian, the Tindrel rocked back off its hind legs and delivered a violent shove to the QV. "Get off me!" The QV's mobility suit lost its shape from the push, but latched onto Vreta's ankle. It swung around and quickly reformed around his whole body. The QV inside wrapped its various appendages around Vreta's body and shimmied around until their respective faces were millimetres away. The suit was only just big enough for both of them. "Greetings, you can call this one…Gazes Fondly." "The watery vermin need to watch what their FILTHY wetsuits are doing, or I will rend them down to a mere puddle." The large Tindrel scientist croaked, clacking angrily on the deckplate. "This one could say the same about the insects crawling all over your body, Chitnarit." A second QV burbled. A crowd of the two species of aliens had appeared from the atrium, along with some Humans and Rothians. Freyr finished her mug of coffee and started walking towards the hubbub.</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta managed to avoid being too obviously startled. It had been quite a long time since he had dealt too directly with the Qalian-Vosh. Well over a century, in fact. Entire cultures could shift over those sorts of timescales, so even Vreta had to admit to being somewhat out of his…depth, in this. Regardless, he was a professional and he knew how to deal with such situations. He did not recoil from the QV, nor lash out. The sludge filling the suit invaded his nostrils, making for a bizarre and briefly uncomfortable sensation, though that did not last too long. It was far from the first time Vreta had been submerged in a breathable liquid. QV, at least away from their home territory, tended to make use of an adaptable liquid that could provide respiration to most oxygen-breathing species. The majority of spacefaring species were not aquatic, so such measures helped them to interact more closely with alien life. It took a few moments for Vreta to let his body adjust. By the time he opened his eyes, the QV, Gazes Fondly, was close enough to nearly be touching him. Despite that, Vreta showed no signs of obvious discomfort. Rothians themselves generally did not mind being close to one another. At that distance, even through the sludge, Vreta could see clearly plenty of features about the alien's form. Their translucent skin allowed most of their anatomy to be visible, from organ systems and skeletal structure, even to the web of veins and nerves that spread out across their body. Even while staying still, they always looked to be in motion. It seemed fitting that the QV were known so widely for their openness. Vreta was going to need to deal with these two one at a time, so he may as well start with the one in front of him. "I will have to apologize for being a poor host to you both. I'm sure you know how quickly everything has had to be put together for this. I just haven't had the time to familiarize myself with your customs as much as I would like. What would be the proper way for me to greet you, Gazes Fondly?"</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang "Open your mouth, let me inspect you." Gazes Fondly broadcast. Two translucent appendages floated up, gently grasped one row of Vreta's teeth each and tried to lever them apart. The QV's skin flickered yellow. On the whole, the handlers assigned to receive the scientific teams had lost the attention of their audience. The Tindrel and QV were squabbling in the corridor like a bunch of school children until Freyr loudly smashed her mug on the wall. Ceramic pieces clinked to the floor. Most eyes turned to her, with a notable exception of Gazes Fondly, who was still gazing fondly at Vreta. "Okay everyone, let's move back into the welcome atrium!" Freyr clapped her hands loudly together and made a shooing motion as she approached the group. "We don't have much time, so let's get you up to speed! Our Rothian hosts are excited to show you around."</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Gazes Fondly had not directly answered Vreta's question, though this sort of greeting would be as strange as he might have expected from the Qalian-Vosh. Rahn'Masser agents were sometimes trained to be able to integrate into alien cultures, as he had been for Outremer. From his knowledge, integrating with the QV had one of the longest training programs. Gazes was not being hostile or disrespectful towards him; quite the opposite. Still, it was easy to see how they might have trouble with diplomatic incidents. Fortunately for the QV, Rothians did not tend to shy from physical contact. He was worried more about how they would interact with the others. "I need to move on my own now. Please allow me out of the suit." Vreta requested politely. Once he was out of the suit, Vreta did not seem too perturbed by the experience. He was still wet for the moment, but he felt no discomfort from it. The liquid slid easily from his scales, and he simply went straight back to Freyr and took back his mug of coffee. His focus soon went straight for the Tindrel that had been a part of the altercation. One of the QV had identified them as Chitnarit, though Vreta was not yet going to assume. If he was going to help diffuse this tension, he had to avoid upsetting either side, and no doubt, it was going to take a while to make any progress. "I agree. We have done as much as we can to make both our workspace, and your living spaces as comfortable as we can for you. I understand that you are going to need to do some 'catching up', as it were, but make no mistake that you are both a part of this project."</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Gazes Fondly reluctantly complied with Vreta's request. The Rothian plopped out of the suit and all of the residual goo on his scales eventually dropped off and made its way back where it belonged. The yellow-tinged QV blobbed through Freyr's legs to where her mug lay smashed on the deskplate. Laying flat on the floor, its suit slurped up all the little ceramic pieces and with astonishing speed put them back together. The sludge acted like an adhesive, sealing it. Gazes popped the mug into its mouth to evaluate what may have been inside. Chitnarit had calmed down a little bit, though she still clattered around on the metal floor with her hairy yet spiky legs. "I should hope so. Your ship does not seem very comfortable - will you show us where you propose we will work?"</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori .</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori "Indeed. With all the differences in our biology, it would be difficult to make a ship that would be comfortable to every species simultaneously. We do our best to adapt, though. Please follow us; we'll show you to the workspace." Vreta answered. At the very least, he and Freyr had managed to bring Gazes and Chitnarit's attention off of each other, which he supposed was a manner of resolving the situation for now. It was going to be a process to try to nudge them into getting along over time. For now, Vreta led the way towards the team's research lab. For the purposes of this project, one of the cargo bays had been seamlessly converted into a rather massive research lab; much larger than the sort of space that would normally be used for that purpose. It allowed them to tailor portions of the space to each species without making any one of them feel neglected. At least a quarter of the total space was entirely submerged in breathable liquid for the Qalian-Vosh, separated from the air by a tough, transparent polymer. The QV's area alone was at least as large as an average research lab, so they would not be lacking for space in their preferred environment. In order to avoid making them seem too separated from the rest of the team, their area had not simply been shoved into one corner. Rather, there were tubes leading to tanks spread out among the rest of the lab as well to allow them to be close to the rest of the team if needed. There were doorways separating air from liquid with walkable energy shields to allow any member of the team to move between the two quickly and easily if needed, with physical barriers available as backups in the event of total power failure. The Tindrel too would find accommodations for themselves. Walls and ceilings were made largely from a material far more malleable than it appeared on the surface. Their legs could easily pierce it to allow them to climb as much as they desired, and it could even repair itself afterwards to cut down on maintenance. Some parts of the ceiling were closer to the floor to allow them to be in proximity to their ground-based peers, while others were higher up to allow them more space if needed. Floating platforms would allow them to move much of their equipment to different heights with relative ease.</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang The species stayed relatively separate on their journey to the lab. Gazes Fondly seemed to be in charge of the QV, marshalling them to group their suits together in one large amorphous blob. They appeared to have some kind of team meeting, swirling round together while their combined suit rolled along the corridor. The Tindrel kept trying, and failing, to latch onto the perfectly flat walls. The tiny hooks attached to their legs protracted and retracted dozens of times. There was no welcome party on the ship, per say. There had already been an official exchanging of team sheets that frankly Freyr had paid little attention to. But shortly after moving from the acclimatisation chamber and into their new lab, Dr Lang spotted Knossos of the Sacred Band standing guard by the door. Freyr waved. A loophole in the agreement for scientific expeditions meant that vessels could hire private military personnel to act as security and support staff. In the case of this expedition, that just so happened to include some of the most effective warfighters in the Diaspora. Captain Andersen had lobbied extremely hard to put her team on the ship, instead of a team from some other ship in the fleet. Outremer's vestigial fief system meant that military officers were allowed to augment their retinue with elite and/or specialised individuals, using funds accrued from the various services an army or naval vessel can do for its surrounding community. Sending these special units to do 'good works' was a common way of building up their master's status and influence. It also meant Captain Andersen could monitor the mission through the eyes of all the Sacred Band while they were on duty. Knossos himself wasn't in armour, for maybe the second time since they had met. His scarred and craggy skin was pale and his grey beard neatly clipped. Despite his advanced age, his crew uniform still bulged with augmented muscle. The sidearm on his hip wasn't even close to standard issue. He nodded a fraction of an inch in reply. Freyr turned her attention to the centre of the cavernous hall. After frenzied, technical collaboration, another miniature Vault had been transported aboard the Rothian science vessel. Manufactured secretly in orbit around Outremer's moon, it was roughly fifty metres by fifty metres. Much smaller than the vault used to house the Cradle, it had been designed to perfectly fit another organism like the Navigator. If this other being was bigger, and the Navigator had declined to give any details, it could expand slightly at a large cost to its overall integrity. Dozens of Institute technicians jealously guarded its control systems. The QV & Tindrel teams instantly swarmed over to take a look at the device.</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta did not interrupt either party in exploring their new workspace. If nothing else, it was a truly unique, if somewhat bizarre looking space. There was a mix of aquatic spaces right alongside dry areas, with climbing surfaces anywhere they could be reasonably placed. Computers and other lab equipment were almost exclusively Rothian tech, but they had gone through the effort of setting up multiple interfaces tailored to Humans, Tindrel, and QV. Most of their equipment could easily swap between different holographic interfaces designed for each species' user interface preferences. And at the center of all of it was the Outreman-designed vault for their hopeful prize. "Please take some time to familiarize yourselves with the workspace. Our goal has been to create a space that could allow you all to optimize your comfort and workflow. You should find that all of our equipment has interfaces that should be familiar to you. Everything is still set in the test environment, not production, so feel free to experiment and get comfortable with it. Now is a good time to look for any changes you might want to make." Vreta announced to the two teams. While the rest were fulfilling their curiosity, Vreta stayed with Freyr and simply watched as they familiarized themselves with the space. "You know, for as difficult as all this is, it does feel impressive what we're making. This kind of a collaborative project between so many species…it's quite a rare thing. Hopefully, all these perspectives will help you find solutions you wouldn't have alone. Different brains think fundamentally differently, so it's not impossible. Who knows, maybe the new environment will help our own creativity too? Can you really say you've ever run complex experiments while breathing underwater, surrounded by transparent aliens?" Vreta chuckled lightly.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Dr Lang nodded a few times, arms crossed across her chest and clasping her sides. "It certainly is impressive, and no I…normally don't swim about on the job." She watched one of the Qalian-Vosh peel off from the group and dive through the nearest bulkhead door into the water, a couple more quickly followed. They navigated up one of the tubes at high speed, their forms completely optimised for agile swimming. "Now might be a good time for a bit of 'Who's Who'. Freyr pulled up the team sheets in her head and asked her implants to match names and photos with the aliens milling around the hangar bay. "Xenobiology, astrophysics, chemical engineering, artificial intelligence…lots of skills on paper here. Some people I can't place, either." Freyr chucked the cross referenced list she'd created to Vreta. "That QV who sucked you into its suit; I don't see a record for them."</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta nodded over to Freyr. "With what everyone had to gain from this project, we're going to get the best they have on offer. Especially if they don't want the other side to end up getting more out of it than they do. Maybe some healthy competition will even help us be more productive; we just have to make sure that competition stays 'healthy'. I don't have any intel on Gazes either, though. Might be that they wanted to send someone to look after their team, though if I were them, I would have at least made up a personnel file for them." With a shrug, Vreta closed his files and gave one more look around the room. "I think they've had enough time to familiarize themselves with the layout. Time for the guided tour, I suppose? They could use a briefing to at least start getting them up to speed. I'll send out a message to the rest of our team to get everyone here, then you can do what you do best." The laboratory was designed to be as convenient as possible for all parties involved, and Vreta supposed this was a decent first test of that principle. They had hologram projectors that could function in and out of water, and access to all of their equipment on both sides of that division. There was a space close to the vault that was meant to be a natural point for all parts of the team to converge. Several of the QV's tubes were nearby, there was a relatively low, walkable ceiling for the Tindrel, and enough floor space for everyone else. It was intended to, hopefully, allow everyone to congregate without anyone feeling inherently excluded. It was not enforced that anyone must use any part of the lab for any strict purpose, except the vault itself, but that was where Vreta went to start gathering the team's attention. He had sent out the alert to the Human and Rothian science teams that it was time to gather in the lab, and once they had all arrived, it was time to begin. "If everyone could join me, please, we have a lot we need to start covering. You've all been given the dossier on this team and our goals, so I'm sure you're all familiar with the basics, but it's time for everyone to get up to speed on the mission here in Psi-Helios."</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr waited patiently for everyone to assemble around the map table. It sat near the mini-Vault, with one of its giant sides acting as a wall and projection screen if needed. When everyone was quiet and attentive, she began by pulling up a hologram of the Cradle; it hung above them like a pure white sun. "Our working hypothesis is that the Cradle was designed to store, develop and index the potential for millions of life forms - both flora and fauna. It would travel between galaxies, seeding planetary objects with these organic blueprints so that life could flourish." "Why?" one of the Tindrel asked. "We don't know for certain yet. What we do know is that we've recently found a life form with an apparently symbiotic relationship with the Cradle. It calls itself the Navigator, and it was badly damaged when we rescued it. Apparently, it was attacked by another synthetic called the Hegemon. Most of them managed to escape - the Cradle, the Navigator and the others all hid in different places around our galaxy." "Who are these 'others' of which you speak?" A QV scientist burbled. It had stolen a Human lab coat and was now wearing it within its mobility suit. "Other life forms like the Navigator, presumably. The Navigator's name suggests that together they could form some sort of 'crew' that can effectively operate the Cradle. Unlock its true potential." Freyr waved one hand, and the hologram changed to show the Cradle being orbited by four smaller tetrahedrons. "You said 'most' of them escaped." One of Freyr's team piped up. Throwing her a slow ball - nice. "That's right. The Navigator seemed pretty sure that one of them was either destroyed or captured by the Hegemon." Freyr pointed at her subordinate. One of the four tetrahedrons blew apart into a million little pixels that drifted away from each other. "So why are we here, near one of our planets?" Gazes Fondly asked. They were curled up on a swivel chair near the map table, their mobility suit totally encompassing it. This prompted an immediate reaction. "This planet is ours!" Chitnarit roared, rearing up on her hind legs. She began pushing through the crowd for Gazes. Freyr looked for Knossos to find him and and one of Void Company jogging to her from by the door.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta was much closer to Chitnarit than most of the others, so he was able to move himself directly between her and Gazes. He may not have been a supersoldier like Rareth or Void company, but he was still enhanced enough to allow him to present himself as an effective barrier. He did not try to be directly threatening, but he did make it clear that he was not moving. "We have received information that one of these objects, these 'crew' members, may be located on Psi-Helios. As life-seeders, these objects are likely to be found in inhabited places. The Navigator itself was found buried deep within Rothia's crust. Our objective is to find this object and recover it, preferably without complications." Roughly in the center of where everyone was gathered, Vreta brought up a hologram of Rothia, with the location that the Navigator had been found highlighted. Alongside it was also a hologram of Psi-Helios. "Locating the Navigator required weeks of deep scans. It was giving few traces of its presence, hence why we had not discovered it previously until we knew to look for it, specifically. We are hoping we are now in a better position to locate this Object more quickly." Vreta gestured to the spectrogram of a signal detected from the Navigator. "If this new object is anything like the Navigator, any EM signature it has will fade easily into the background, but now we know what to look for. The Navigator's signals are similar to those of the Cradle. This Object's may not be identical, but if it is close enough, then this ship's sensors should be able to detect it on a detailed surface scan. We are equipped with some of our best sensors and stealth capabilities. All goes well, and we'll be able to secure our target without any major disruptions to Psi-Helios."</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang For a moment, it looked like Chitnarit may have put her expansive mouth totally around Vreta's head when he turned away. But she contented herself with loudly gnashing her fangs while he was speaking instead. She then chimed in immediately after he'd finished, talking over several scientists who studied the holo closely and had questions. "Perhaps we should scan the filthy space casino these ones have towed into orbit. Everyone knows it is a front for some scanning equipment of their own. Maybe a command centre?" She pointed a crudely formed hand at Gazes, who violently ejected Freyr's reconstructed coffee mug out of its mobility suit. It flew fast towards Chitnarit, through Vreta. "What about the Tindrel slave mills hidden among the asteroid belt? They have already found something, hidden away, haven't you?" Gazes Fondly sloshed about in its swivel chair like a bucket of chum.</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta was much closer to Chitnarit than most of the others, so he was able to move himself directly between her and Gazes. He may not have been a supersoldier like Rareth or Void company, but he was still enhanced enough to allow him to present himself as an effective barrier. He did not try to be directly threatening, but he did make it clear that he was not moving. "We have received information that one of these objects, these 'crew' members, may be located on Psi-Helios. As life-seeders, these objects are likely to be found in inhabited places. The Navigator itself was found buried deep within Rothia's crust. Our objective is to find this object and recover it, preferably without complications." Roughly in the center of where everyone was gathered, Vreta brought up a hologram of Rothia, with the location that the Navigator had been found highlighted. Alongside it was also a hologram of Psi-Helios. "Locating the Navigator required weeks of deep scans. It was giving few traces of its presence, hence why we had not discovered it previously until we knew to look for it, specifically. We are hoping we are now in a better position to locate this Object more quickly." Vreta gestured to the spectrogram of a signal detected from the Navigator. "If this new object is anything like the Navigator, any EM signature it has will fade easily into the background, but now we know what to look for. The Navigator's signals are similar to those of the Cradle. This Object's may not be identical, but if it is close enough, then this ship's sensors should be able to detect it on a detailed surface scan. We are equipped with some of our best sensors and stealth capabilities. All goes well, and we'll be able to secure our target without any major disruptions to Psi-Helios."</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang For a moment, it looked like Chitnarit may have put her expansive mouth totally around Vreta's head when he turned away. But she contented herself with loudly gnashing her fangs while he was speaking instead. She then chimed in immediately after he'd finished, talking over several scientists who studied the holo closely and had questions. "Perhaps we should scan the filthy space casino these ones have towed into orbit. Everyone knows it is a front for some scanning equipment of their own. Maybe a command centre?" She pointed a crudely formed hand at Gazes, who violently ejected Freyr's reconstructed coffee mug out of its mobility suit. It flew fast towards Chitnarit, through Vreta. "What about the Tindrel slave mills hidden among the asteroid belt? They have already found something, hidden away, haven't you?" Gazes Fondly sloshed about in its swivel chair like a bucket of chum.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta was still positioned between both, his posture upright and firm as he looked down upon them. He did not bother moving out of the way of the mug, and gave absolutely no reaction to its impact. "I cannot ask you to like one another. That would be quite unreasonable. However, in all my centuries of life, I have come to have certain expectations for men, women, and other individuals of science. In lifetimes past, I was a researcher myself, and I consider that experience to be a highlight of my life. Scientists, to me, are exemplars of their species, who push the boundaries of what a mind can do. They are the ones who elevate a species from their primitive origins and push entire societies to the stars, and they have always had my utmost respect. As the peak of a species' mental prowess, I would expect them to be consummate professionals whose work can speak for them far more than leveraging baseless accusations or flinging small objects." For a moment, Vreta paused, his gaze moving slowly between Gazes and Chitnarit. "Was I mistaken?"</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang "You are not mistaken. Science is what these ones are here for. Right, friend?" Gazes soothed, jumping out of its chair and blobbing over to Vreta where it clung to his back like a large rucksack. Its mobility suit elongated and ran down the length of the Rothian's tail. Chitnarit glared at Gazes Fondly over Vreta's shoulder, pressing up against him on her large and powerful legs. Her salivation must have presented a strong odour, and from so close the glands which secreted powerful pheromones may not have been completely filtered out by the apparatus in the room before reaching Vreta's nervous system. "Let's just get this over with." --- The Tindrel and QV science teams joined the combined Human-Rothian Expeditionary Fleet in a neutral corporate system. It was far from Psi-Helios, run by huge multi-species conglomerates that didn't pay much mind to the crew of their vessels. The naval executives for each civilisation had agreed to participate in a joint exercise as a pretext for arriving near the Psi-Helios system. The scenario at hand was a fragmented jump from lightspeed from multiple vectors to meet aggression from an unknown adversary. The main Human, Rothian, Tindrel and QV elements would appear outside the system and attempt to link up and form an effective formation as quickly and orderly as possible. Then, they would split into teams and simulate a variety of naval battles on the fringes of the system. While this was happening, a variety of civilian craft would complete tasks among the various non-native structures in the system, to simulate evacuation and data destruction etc. It was at this point that the science vessel would scan the Psi-Helios system. The Earther peacekeeping force had been notified, but what they may or may not do upon commencement of these exercises was yet to be seen. After a day or so of confirming that all parties were ready to begin, the Rothian in charge of the overall exercise would give the green light to begin.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori For the combined fleets, their gathering was deep in space, far from any settled planets. They had alerted both Earth's government and any nearby planets that this exercise would be taking place, though it was still a rather substantial collection of military force. Keeping a respectful distance from settled worlds was simply courtesy to avoid causing any unease among the civilian population. For this exercise, the Rothian navy had deployed the 2nd Carrier Group from the Fleet of Vigilance. Compared to the rest, the Rothians had barely half as many ships participating, though that was to be expected for Rothian military doctrine. For their capital ships, the Rothian navy emphasized the highest quality possible in their vessels. On a galactic stage, technology was generally the Rothians' greatest advantage, so they formed their military and its tactics to leverage that advantage to its greatest extent. For centuries, their ships had been built to modular designs with the intention of facilitating simple and relatively easy upgrades to integrate new developments into existing ships. Though some ships had bore the same names, and even some of the same crew, for centuries, there were none that had not, over time, been essentially rebuilt completely and retrofitted to modern standards. Smaller craft, like strikecraft and drones, tended to be automated and much more numerous. Among the 2nd Carrier Group, the majority of capital ships were cruiser class, similar in size to the Barbarossa, with some being specialized as battleships that sacrificed carrier space for greater firepower. The flagship of the battle group, the Valiant, was a heavy carrier, about fifty percent larger than a cruiser. The Admiral, Matir'Setla, commanded from the carrier. On his order, his plan for formations and maneuvering tactics had been sent ahead to the other gathered fleets as they awaited the scheduled start of the exercise.</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang The QV fleet was initially composed of one enormous, amorphous, slightly translucent floating blob in space. Their ships were essentially heavily armed and armoured versions of their individual mobility suits, with large engines and shields. The component parts could split off and rejoin the mothership at will. Each ship was girded with an elegant superstructure of blackened alloy, in which some of the most critical elements could be protected. When the whole thing was put together, the insides looked like a bafflingly complex and ancient coral reef. It was always difficult to get a full count of their fleet, but previous intelligence indicated that a mothership contained three large battleships that shared the superstructure's devastating main gun, along with dozens of destroyers and potentially hundreds of fighters. The Tindrel fleet's capital ship was built into an actual asteroid. As a species they were keen space-excavators, and used the hollowed out husks of the best specimens as a tour de force of their navy. The remnants of this particular planetoid presented as a giant semi-sphere of craggy rock about 10 miles wide. It was pockmarked with sensory stations and armaments and the Tindrel had painted a scary Tindrel face across it. Protruding out from the hollow insides was a bright double helix structure which housed the engines, shield generators, hangar bays and almost an entire city of support staff. Docked on this double helix were dozens of frigates and hundreds of fighters.</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Upon getting their orders, the Tindrel and Qalian-Vosh immediately started complaining. "This objective is not worthy of the might our fleet brings to bear." "You'll never be able to hold off two fleets at once!" "That large object could be their central command node. Destroying that might fold their entire force!" "We are spread rather thin, Admiral Matir. Not much margin for error." Admiral Stentz added, as the Outreman cruisers assumed a helical formation around each of the core ships and support elements. --- Aboard the Magnificent Horizon, the science team waited eagerly by their equipment. Freyr stood on a raised platform where she could see almost everything. "Give me topography on Psi-Helios as soon as you can." She ordered. "Yes ma'am." Dr Lang looked over at Vreta, who usually seemed to be nearby. "How are you feeling?"</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori "Did you think this was going to be easy?" Admiral Matir answered. Being that they did not age, it was always hard to tell just by appearance how old any given Rothian was. As long as they were an adult, a Rothian looked about the same at a hundred years of age as they did at a thousand. Of course, the personnel files that the others no doubt had would identify Matir as one of their most experienced naval officers, but even without that, the firm confidence he had with every word he spoke gave him a commanding presence. "We know nothing of our adversary. Should you be wrong about the primary target, then the secondary objectives shall fail, and the civilians we are sworn to protect at each shall perish. We will complete all stated objectives, and we will do so with the resources we have available. Complete your objectives quickly and efficiently, then regroup on my position for the final attack on our primary target. If your ships are truly strong and your crews capable, then show me what you can do. You have your orders." --- Vreta shrugged, tilting his head towards Freyr. "Well, I've given my speeches. I don't have much else to do but watch at this point. I have to admit, I am a bit excited for what we might find, though. If we find another one of these objects here, on another species' homeworld, then I guess that is pretty strong evidence in favor of the life-seeder hypothesis." Crossing his arms, Vreta paused for just a few moments. "Have you wondered how many places this might have happened? How much life is really native to the Milky Way? Maybe there is another one of these on Earth?"</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang With the gauntlet well and truly laid down, the newly formed battle groups set off in different directions. The Tindrel planetoid capital ship quickly began charging toward the asteroid belt where their objective was located. Instead of using FTL to jump straight into the battle, it used powerful sub-light drives to gradually build up unstoppable momentum. A helical formation of Human, Rothian and QV ships orbited around it. The enemy fleet currently besieging the densely packed asteroid belt and factory complex quickly picked up on the incoming hostiles. There were many more individual enemy ships than the joint battle group, but they were spread out across a large area. Closest to their approach were three battleships and a carrier. The battleships launched dozens of plasma torpedoes with bright blue trails. The carrier turned to face the aggressors and fired its primary energy projector, sending a long stream of plasma through space to burn through any ship it touched. The QV supercarrier adopted an entirely different approach. Its target was surrounding an enormous ring-like installation, the surroundings of which were relatively open. The QV battle group jumped to maximum firing range as a stationary mass of weaponry, then unleashed a barrage of energy projections and plasma torpedoes before the enemy fleet had a chance to bring their own guns to bear. The gas giant was obviously of strategic value to the invaders. In addition to glassing settlements on its largest moon, they were deploying dozens of orbital rail cannons around the other three moons. They all opened fire the minute the Rothian battle group appeared in range. The central grouping of enemy forces was staggering. A dozen troop landers were supported by two dozen cruisers and even more smaller ships. The centrepiece was a vast circular command ship, which began launching drone bombers by the dozen.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Among the Tindrel's battle group, the Rothians had just three capital-class ships, along with some smaller support vessels. All were cruisers, which were the main ship of the line for the Rothian navy. They were general purpose ships without particular specializations, but in keeping with Rothian naval doctrine, still exceptionally capable, high quality vessels. All Rothian ships had to be fitted with the most recent upgrades in order to be approved for service so that they could continue to utilize their technological edge. Such measures were necessary, as it was generally expected that their ships would be outnumbered in any given engagement. On the approach, the cruisers launched their fighters and positioned themselves in the formation to be able to intercept incoming fire. Both capital ships and fighters utilized lasers in point defense roles. They were short range, low energy, and not suited to deal with armored vessels, but torpedoes could not outmaneuver a lightspeed beam. The Rothian cruisers were among the first to be able to open fire, as their fusion cannons had greater range than most other energy-based weapons. Strictly speaking, the projectiles themselves were also composed primarily of superheated plasma, but they were high enough every to maintain sufficient coherence for a longer period of time, and therefore, over a longer range. One of the Rothian cruisers positioned itself to trade blows with the enemy carrier. Rather than allow the plasma beam to potentially damage any allied vessels, it accelerated to intercept. It positioned the front crest, by far the most heavily armored portion of the ship, to take the brunt of the hit. The shields flared, glowing almost as brightly as the beam itself, but for the first hit, it left no effect on the hull. The ship returned fire with all forward batteries focused on the carrier, sending out a barrage of blinding white energy projectiles. Though for the other species in the fleet, there was something notable about the ship's weapons. All weapons fire from both sides was, of course, simulated, but the power output they would register from the cruiser's fusion cannons were higher than their intelligence reports would suggest a Rothian cruiser should be capable of. While all of the ship captains in the battle group were expected to be able to act on their own initiative moment to moment, their overall strategy was meant to be driven by the Tindrel commander in the core ship. All Rothian captains would follow their orders and defer to the Tindrel's instructions, once given.</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang "You could run and get me some more coffee?" Freyr smiled sweetly, before continuing. "Joking aside, if we can find something concrete here, we'll be in a much stronger position to scan other populated worlds. Dr Hou was working on a theory that Human DNA contained clues about another location, because he…well." "Ma'am, topography is ready." One relic of Earth's dominion over the Diaspora was Outremer's planet classification framework. All of their software still compared the new planet being scanned with the cradle of Humanity, rather than the world all of the Human scientists present were more familiar with. Psi Helios was 12% smaller than Earth, and had a broadly similar evolutionary journey too. Larger planets like the gas giant stopped it from growing too fast and being pulled towards the red giant star, rendering it uninhabitable. It had a circular orbit and a stable axis, with a tilt of 17.9 degrees. There was a higher degree of tectonic activity, and about 20% less water, but still enough to make this planet an attractive place for organics to develop. This was evidenced by the tangled mangrove-esque root system covering 75% of the planet's surface and rising miles towards the sky. "They sure pick good places to hide." Freyr breathed, putting her AR glasses on as data began flooding the lab. --- "Ramming speed! All units, close for battle! Tindrel elements, prepare to disengage!" The Tindrel commander of their planetoid ship shrieked over battle group comms. The group's capital craft was now moving frighteningly fast towards the middle of the three battleships and a cluster of smaller craft coalescing to face the threat. It became obvious a few seconds beforehand that it wasn't going to stop, and planned to smash straight into the fray. If it looked like they might miss, they had the option to enact a small warp jump to adjust course at the last moment. At the same time, Tindrel cruisers and destroyers were unlatching from the double helix structure protruding from the back of the planetoid and fanning out to begin fighting. The biggest hitters would time their disconnection until they were right among the enemy, so they could attempt a devastating broadside. Outreman vessels had to make emergency adjustments to their attack run to avoid a catastrophic pile up, meaning they lost speed and their tight helical formation.</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang The channel was flooded with bloodthirsty cheering from the Tindrel camp as blinding explosions erupted from the two disabled battleships. They had waged war like this on their planet and in space ever since they reached it, so it must be nice to validate its continued effectiveness. The planetoid ship came under fire from several directions. Its large shield generators absorbed most of the hits, though one torpedo found a gap in the front as energy was directed towards the more vulnerable spindle off the back. It burst through and crashed into the side of the rocky face, tearing a small slab off into space. Barely slowing down, the Tindrel capital ship narrowly missed a cluster of hefty asteroids and sheared off and away from the engagement. It would turn in a wide circle for another ramming run if possible. Point defence lasers on its stern fended off numerous munitions as it left.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang The channel was flooded with bloodthirsty cheering from the Tindrel camp as blinding explosions erupted from the two disabled battleships. They had waged war like this on their planet and in space ever since they reached it, so it must be nice to validate its continued effectiveness. The planetoid ship came under fire from several directions. Its large shield generators absorbed most of the hits, though one torpedo found a gap in the front as energy was directed towards the more vulnerable spindle off the back. It burst through and crashed into the side of the rocky face, tearing a small simulated slab off into space. Barely slowing down, the Tindrel capital ship narrowly missed a cluster of hefty asteroids and sheared off and away from the engagement. It would turn in a wide circle for another ramming run if possible. Point defence lasers on its stern fended off numerous munitions as it departed. This left the comparatively weaker Tindrel vessels to fight without their carrier vessel alongside the Rothians and Humans. However, the imminent threat of another devastating charge on the flank by the planetoid had proved a powerful distraction in previous engagements. They made short work of the support vessels which hadn't retreated, then most of their ships attempted to get to cover afforded by the asteroid field. Their ships excelled in short range combat, but their shields wouldn't hold up in a protracted long range engagement. Despite a snarl-up between the helical Outreman formation and the chaotic and rapidly spreading Tindrel fleet, the closest remaining enemy battleship wasn't able to take advantage of this troop confusion. The OSC heavy cruiser Valkyrie pulled up alongside the hostile ship while deploying a swarm of countermeasure drones between the ships. While still manoeuvring, the enemy battleship fired a massive broadside which would have likely disabled several small vessels behind. The Valkyrie's counter measures intercepted roughly 40% of the munitions before they hit its shields, though the heavy cruiser still took a battering. The Valkyrie's shipboard AI was able to simulate a violent shaking motion in some parts of the interior, for the purposes of realism. Moments later, the Valkyrie returned the broadside, before re-engaging its thrusters and dropping down underneath the enemy battleship to avoid another salvo while its shields recovered. Two plucky frigates above the enemy also jostled to find a firing position for their main guns before releasing jets of energy through space towards the ship. --- "The locals call that stuff the Morgrawal. Say it's all one entity." Masgard pointed to the massive root system covering Psi-Helios. He hadn't been far from Dr Lang since they'd boarded the Rothian vessel, though he kept a relatively low profile and seemed to be working on other things most of the time. "How do you know that?" Freyr asked. "We do our research. The natives are so entwined with it that they refer to themselves as the Morgrawalai." The sophisticated net of scans being unfurled by the Magnificent Horizon was gradually peeling back layers of the planet. Freyr observed that the obvious 'Morgrawalai' population centres were varied. There were some that appeared to be inside the large trunks of the tree, some underground and some in the circular clearings near lakes that the Morgrawal had left.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori The enemy battleship had a respectable amount of firepower on its own, but without support, there was no way it could get through even a single ship's shields before its own were depleted by the focus fire of multiple capital ships converging on it. The third Rothian cruiser joined the Valkyrie and the other Human ships in overwhelming their foe. With all of their fire combined, it did not take more than another barrage to tear the battleship to pieces. The enemy carrier, meanwhile, had found no safety behind the asteroid it had gone to for cover. It launched as many strike craft as it could as quickly as possible, but the carrier's fate was sealed by volleys of superheated plasma from the first two Rothian cruisers. Fighters and bombers could be dangerous even to capital ships when utilized properly, but the enemy fighters that had been launched so far had no ship support nearby. Rather than throw them pointlessly at the allied battle group, the enemy instead gave the order for their fighters to disengage and retreat back through the asteroid field to their own lines so they could still utilize them later in the fight. Rothian fighters pursued them some distance and destroyed a portion of them, but they too did not want to push their fighters too far beyond the support of their motherships. The initial strike had been undeniably effective, but the majority of the hostile fleet still remained. The planetoid had built up incredible momentum and was unquestionably effective in close quarters, but the enemy was quick to adapt. The Tindrel's current targets were at long range, so they had much more time to evade than the initial group. Rather than move together, however, any ship within the planetoid's projected path scattered in all directions, often weaving between asteroids to make a direct pursuit path more difficult. It was unlikely that any individual ship could escape the Tindrel, but with intelligent maneuvering, the enemy could guarantee that the massive planetoid could only chase, at most, a single ship at a time. All the while, every other ship in the fleet was unpressured and free to engage at long range. The pelting of ranged weapons fire was a constant against the planetoid's shields, and it was far from efficient for them to have to chase down every hostile ship individually. While they had secured a position within the asteroid field, there was a question of what to do next for the rest of the battle group. The Tindrel were taking plenty of initiative to act with their own ships, but beyond being told to "attack", there had been no orders for the rest of them. The Rothian cruisers formed up, positioned their strike craft defensively to intercept incoming munitions, and returned fire. They certainly had the range to engage any ship in the asteroid field, but there was still no coherent direction for allied forces. They did not know what targets the Tindrel would engage next, and therefore which targets would be most effective to focus fire, nor how to position tactically to take advantage of whatever they were going to do next. There were certainly protocols the Rothian captains could follow to quickly establish a firm chain of command to begin giving those orders, but that was not the purpose of this exercise. The Tindrel commander was not incapacitated; therefore, they needed to try to follow their direction. One of the Rothian captains opened the fleet's comm channel to request those orders. --- "Well, if we do everything right, the Morgrawalai will never know we were here." Marae remarked, though her voice trailed off as she started to focus more on the console in front of her, and the data that was pouring in. Vreta watched the screens as well, though with less of a focused eye than the scientists analyzing the data. "Hopefully so. We just need to be prepared if things don't quite go to plan. If this object is buried as deep as the Navigator was, it will take a whole excavation team to extract it. Of course, if it isn't, then the natives may have already discovered it. About how 'primitive' are these primitives? I know they are pre-spaceflight, but are they at the point of using livestock, wagons, and iron swords, or are we talking cars, biplanes, and gunpowder?"</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang "Push them into the clear channel! We're coming back around!" The Tindrel commander screeched. The capital ship sent a visualisation of a gap between two tight clusters of space debris. The factory complex was nearby - they had cleared this channel to allow large freighters to quickly move to and fro. Based on the relative positioning of the asteroid field and the system's general gravitational alignment, the planetoid's second pass would come from 'above'. Ordinarily, the Outreman fleet would have flushed the enemy fleet out from their hiding places with seismic charges. They could have smashed the asteroid belt into small and less dangerous pieces and lit hostile shields up. However, that sort of weaponry was incompatible with a simulation where they couldn't actually go around wrecking the place. Especially when there was a real factory complex nearby that was already signalling for them to use caution on their property. The Tindrel ships paid no mind to that, however. It was largely their own holding, after all. "CHARGE!" Their captains screamed as one, forming a war cry. The full weight of their force swarmed into the depths of the slow-moving asteroid field, seeking to rapidly gain ground on the enemy and do battle. The formation they had from the beginning was totally ruined. The large Outreman vessels couldn't navigate into the tightly-packed core, so they began skirting around the edges, firing at enemy elements which broke cover to assault the planetoid. Their smaller destroyers and frigates joined the Tindrel.</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang "Admiral, recommend immediate abort. You're vulnerable in the channel." The most senior Outreman captain in the battle group sent over comms. "Watch them run!" The Tindrel Admiral replied immediately - the rapid clicking of their species laughing could be heard. "Press the attack!" The ramming ship had looped around now and was building up unstoppable momentum for a pass through the freight channel. In preparation for a mini-jump at short range, they weren't charging up their secondary weapons to fire at full power during that moment of chaos when they made contact. --- Masgard laughed. "Not quite bi-planes, but you already knew that. They are advanced in their own ways. Very different to us, in tune with nature. They have a symbiotic relationship with large worms that act as transport, food and fighting forces." "Human, Tindrel & QV signals on the planet." Dr Wetherall announced.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori For the Tindrel's planetoid, the ships that had moved into the freight channel had little chance for escape. In open space, the enemy might have been able to scatter more efficiently, but the asteroids surrounding them would restrict how fast they could maneuver, especially as a group. They had executed their plan as well as they could, and no doubt, the planetoid would be able to clear a fair sized group in a single pass. However, they had no way of stopping the rest of the enemy fleet from repositioning, and no way to regroup with the rest of their own fleet quickly. The asteroid field would restrict the planetoid even more than it would for the enemy vessels. Had the enemy used their FTL jump to close in on the planetoid, the rest of the fleet might have been able to maneuver in to the field to reinforce their flagship. That, however, was not their intention. The planetoid was currently in the middle of the asteroid field with the freight channel as the only method of egress. It was, for the moment, a prison for it that it could not quickly escape. As such, nearly the entire remainder of the enemy fleet jumped to FTL, wrapped around the outside of the asteroid field, and appeared suddenly together...right on top of the bulk of the Outreman ships. They dropped out of FTL at extreme close range to most of the Outreman and Qalian-Vosh ships, sending the battlefield into immediate chaos. They seemed to abandon any notion of organized formations and instead positioned themselves in and among the allied fleet, firing on everything around them. It went without saying that this was a strategy that entailed full and complete commitment. There would be no escape for either side if they failed, but it was a sort of chaos that could be to their enemy's advantage. Even should the planetoid manage to maneuver back around to rejoin the fight in time, it could not use its primary strategy so far without barreling through its own allies. --- Vreta looked up to the hologram of the planet, his eyes narrowing noticeably. "Interference with pre-spaceflight species runs rather specifically afoul of our treaties." Vreta stepped away from Freyr's station and moved closer, up behind Dr. Wetherall's. "Are you able to pinpoint the locations of these alien signals?"</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Immediately after the enemy fleet jumped into close quarters combat, the battle group's comms net lit up like a Christmas tree. Foremost the Tindrel screaming with anger, but urgent and stressed instructions from captains of individual ships as they allocated rally points. The small number of Qalian-Vosh ships began grouping together and sharing their mobility bubble, becoming more than the sum of their parts all while under heavy fire. One of them didn't make it and erupted into a goo-based fireball…then started heading out of the battle area to await the end of the simulation. The Outreman portion of the battle group were caught on the broadside with open space cut off by the mass of enemy ships. They were also strung out in a line with only partially overlapping fields of fire. However, the OSC had trained to survive this sort of gambit before , and their ships immediately began turning so they were headed into the asteroid field. They redirected most of their shielding power to the stern, and used all their armaments on their sides to support the ships to either side. They then attempted to retreat into the relative safety of the asteroid field, leaving the QV vessels nearly surrounded. --- "Negatory. They look like they're on the move…aaand they're bouncing off every satellite in the system. There aren't that many signatures, but they could be bundled together. We aren't experts in signals from known civilisations, we're equipped to notice anomalies to known patterns. We'd need the military or, or… Naval Intelligence or something."</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Under most circumstances, the strategy their enemy was using was not something the average fleet commander would even consider as an option. It took any concept of strategic maneuvering or macro tactics and threw them out the proverbial window. Fleet commanders would lose almost all influence over the overall battle in favor of a simple aggregate of the competence of each fleet's respective ships, captains, and crews. Naturally, most commanders would rather not give up their own contributions, especially as such a battle would likely end with heavy losses on both sides. Ironically, though, despite how aggressive and chaotic the Tindrel's strategy was, this particular brand of chaos was so strongly to the detriment of the flagship that formed the center of their strategy that it was the best option they had. The Tindrel's initial strikes had wiped out multiple groups of ships, but the remainder of the enemy fleet still outnumbered the allied battle group, to a not insignificant degree. It was not insurmountable, but they needed to find some way to regain an advantage. The only macro strategy that the enemy was following at the moment was unrestrained aggression. As the Outreman fleet tried falling back into the field, the enemy tried to stick with them to the best of their ability. The Rothian cruisers, for the moment, were having to execute some rather slow turns to bring their ships to bear while confined in the asteroid field. They had some cannons with angles on the enemy, and their torpedoes could target omnidirectionally, but it would be a few minutes before they could rejoin the battle in full. The QV ships were currently in danger of being overwhelmed, and it would be up to the Tindrel commander to decide how they would respond. --- Vreta hummed to himself for a moment. "They're going to be wrapped up in this simulation for a while. I guess we should just keep on task. I'll pass it along for Rareth to deal with. Hopefully they don't get in the way of our search, but we should be careful. If they are on the surface, then they are probably flaunting the law. They may not respect the authority we bring with us." He warned.</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang "All units, form a line of defense in the asteroid field! I want to see overlapping fields of fire on my screen!" The Tindrel admiral commanded. He had taken a more sober tone as he examined a giant holo simulation of the situation on the planetoid's map table. The Planetoid itself had cleared the asteroid field again and was arcing around the entire thing to strike the enemy from behind and below. The QV were yelling to each other as their large combined surged back towards the relative safety of the asteroid belt. An enemy ship sailed in front of them and hit them with half a broadside. The QV vessel smashed into them and the gelatinous skin wrapped the whole way around the other ship. The ships inside began firing straight into the opposing hull and otherwise trying to prise it apart. A blinding exchange of fire flitted to and from the Outreman vessels which had now presented their thin backsides. That was, except the battle group's Bertha class rail cannon platform, which was hidden behind an asteroid. Though large, it was poorly armed and armoured except for a formidable rail gun which made up most of its mass. While this sort of armament had featured heavily in Humanity's early spacefaring armoury, it had gradually been phased out as it became clear that the galaxy wasn't empty. Whenever a ship fired a tungsten bolt at blistering speeds, it was going to ruin someone's day - that may not be who they originally thought. The Bertha latched onto the mammoth asteroid like a spider and fired straight through it, using small thrusters on either side to manoeuvre its field of fire from one ship to another. --- "Possible anomaly detected." A Rothian scientist raised their hand from a workstation on the opposite side of the general area from Dr Wetherall, closer to Marae. As Freyr and Vreta walked over, Dr Lang asked him: "Why am i getting a bad feeling about this again?"</s>
<\|description\|>Dr Freyr Lang Species: Human Gender: Female Age: 34 Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development Cybernetics: * Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day. * Tier 7c 'Cradle Builder' suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for 'terraforming' the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures. * Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer's communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools. Backstory: Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships. Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet's largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr's childhood, her mother's sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora. Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex's entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr's mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby. Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren't busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them. Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it. In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle. She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle. It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later. After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it's older and more entrenched members. It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her. What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr's last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl. Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Given their apparent indifference to the rest of the fleet so far, it was a pleasant surprise when the Tindrel commander began to take charge and give direction. With the swiftness of the enemy's surprise attack, it had been unavoidable that their battle group had taken losses. A few of the Outreman ships, including one cruiser, had been taken out of the simulation, and several more had registered hull damage before being able to retreat into the asteroid field. Of course, the enemy had also suffered similar damage in the exchange, and they now had the opportunity to get to some measure of cover and try to replenish the shields on their more vulnerable ships. The Rothian cruisers deeper in the asteroids were eventually able to bring their ships around and rejoin the battle. Now that the enemy was exclusively on one side of them, they could face their armored crests towards the threat to greatly improve their own durability, though the current situation called for them to advance forward quickly and try to take pressure off of their allies. For the power they had, their greatest weakness was that there were only three of them. The battlefield was wide enough that, no matter how they were distributed, there was a large part of it they simply could not influence. In the parts of the battle in which they were present, though, they could be an impactful asset. For now, the cruisers pushed forward and joined some of the Outreman ships in trying to rescue the retreating Qalian-Vosh vessel. The ranking Rothian captain marked the closest cruiser to their ally, prompting all three to converge fire upon it from their main batteries. Fusion cannons were powerful on their own, but the version the Rothians were using now were stronger than any the Rothians had revealed before. They ripped apart the enemy shields at blistering speed, only to shift their focus fire to a different target once they had exposed the vulnerability on the first. Rather than take the time to finish off the enemy cruiser themselves, the Rothian captain instead marked the vulnerable ship as a priority target for the Outremans. Their rail cannon was a dated weapon as far as naval technology was concerned. Powerful, but slow to fire. Volleys of high energy projectiles, or sustained beams, were more efficient at depleting energy shielding. Still, the Rothians calculated that a single, well-placed shot should be sufficient to disable or destroy an unshielded hostile vessel. --- The ship's deep scans had picked up what appeared to be a settlement, though deep underground beneath a massive mountain range covered in the Morgrawal. "A settlement, it looks like." Enha, the Rothian xenoanthroplogist, remarked. "It looks to be native, not alien. Though it is quite remarkable for a native settlement at this level of technological development. I normally would not expect them to be able to maintain such an organized settlement in such a challenging environment."</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang The Bertha didn't waste any time once the target was marked. Shifting its field of fire, it fired a sharpened tungsten round toward the enemy cruiser's engine and reactor core. The dead metal projectile had a better chance of disabling the target without provoking a large explosion and destroying the QV hitchhikers, but nothing was guaranteed. The QV were strongly encouraged to disengage, but either they were too badly damaged or too deeply attached to make a quick getaway. The Tindrel planetoid was rapidly approaching for a third time. They had adjusted their course into more of a diagonal strafe of the entire line. The Admiral signalled that rather than maintaining their unstoppable momentum, they would be attempting a 'crash stop'. After attempting to ram through as many high value targets as possible, they'd bring the full weight of their conventional weaponry to bear on the enemy ships. By way of an opening salvo, the enormous asteroid launched hundreds of torpedoes. They divided up to target some of the smallest and most vulnerable ships, with the aim of drawing fire from supporting battleships that will in turn weaken their own defenses. --- "It's an interesting lead…the previous inhabitants of Outremer built an entire city around the Cradle. Their structures suggest they actually had very similar physiology to the Morgrawalai, now I think about it…" Freyr trailed off, before eventually looking to Marae. "There must be some kind of pattern - what could we be missing?"</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori The Tindrel's strategy of using their planetoid as a ram had worked twice so far, but it seemed that it would not work for a third. The enemy was keeping close track of their movements, and approaching from a distance as it was, they had plenty of time to push forward into the asteroid field, moving aggressively into the lines of the Outreman ships. The planetoid could not follow, both because of the asteroids, and to avoid endangering their own allies. Their weaponry however, certainly still had the potential to contribute. The enemy's fighters and support ships had been positioned to fight the Humans, so a good number of torpedoes from their flanks were able to find their marks and spread out significant damage to a few capital ships. As long as someone could keep pressure on them, they would not be able to disengage to recover their shields. Unfortunatley, losses were still piling up on both sides. A few more capital ships had been knocked out. Currently, victory was not guaranteed, though it was looking more likely than not. However, on the current path, losses were going to be heavy. The pressure from the enemy was constant, and relentless, and the commander was going to have to prioritize what to protect. They had managed to keep the QV ship intact for now, but hostiles were close to surrounding it. The shields of the battle group's Outreman flagship were currently below half, and it could be in danger without some relief. As well, there were two enemy cruisers maneuvering to try to take out the "Bertha" rail cannon. --- "We should let the evidence build the pattern naturally. Best not to color our perspectives with potentially unfounded assumptions." Marae answered. She was linked in to the computer via her implants, so she could adjust the parameters of their scans through thought alone. The new parameters she was inputting and updating moment-to moment danced across the screen almost faster than one could read them. "Let's do a deep scan here. Focus on the settlement and its surroundings." Using readings from both the Cradle and Navigator as a reference point, Marae started guiding a wide scan through the entire EM spectrum. She did not design each test unassisted, of course, but before their eyes, she implemented a program that would automatically update and iterate between each of the thousands of tests it was performing per second. It was following a genetic algorithm to continually refine potential signal profiles to search for. The tests themselves were perfectly comprehensible to someone with relevant expertise, though the way she treated complex programming as if it was simple mental math was a sight to behold. The only aspect of the tests that the other species might not recognize as readily would be the scans utilizing induced gravitational waves. Compared to anything on the EM spectrum, gravitational waves were exceptionally weak and required immensely sensitive instruments to even detect. The physics involved was well-known to any spacefaring species, but to be able to manufacture a device both capable of detecting such waves, while also being small and practical enough to fit in a sensor package, was not something that others could yet do.</s>	<\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang The lines of ships blurred into a claustrophobic maelstrom of burnished metal, energy beams and explosions. Flights of fighters chased each other around the hulls of their parent ships as they grappled in close combat, and swarms of drones threw themselves as torpedoes. The Outreman line held firm partly because of the mission parameters - they needed a quick victory in order to join back up and take out the key ship. But also because there wasn't an easy way to disengage. They could either retreat back through the asteroid field, or push straight through the enemy which surrounded them and into open space. Both options required breaking their shield-sharing formation and limiting their ability to fire back. The Tindrel signalled they were planning quite a sophisticated crash stop, whereby they'd spin the planetoid's tail out to face the enemy. While less defended than the rock top, it would allow them to bring a dizzying array of weaponry to bear at once. There was no time to argue with them now, as they'd be danger close in a matter of seconds. If one listened closely to their comms channel, one might hear a rolling chorus of chirrups which loosely translated into a 'yeehaw' type sentiment. In their desperation, Outreman commanders had also requested reinforcements from the support group stationed some distance away. It was possible that they could jump ships straight into close quarters, with a bit of good fortune. --- All this activity was being closely watched by Earth - they had a couple of dozen light peacekeeping craft on station around Psi-Helios at any one time which were more than capable of intelligence gathering. Almost immediately after the exercise began, more (and heavier) craft began arriving. What had begun as a trickle became a torrent, until their entire 9th Mechanised Spaceborne Fleet was stationed on the other side of the planet. This intimidating mass of ships was usually parked in empty space, ready to jump at a moment's notice to any of Earth's interests. The Earther fleet's admiral sent a message to all commanders of the exercise, asking them to respect the system's demilitarised status and move away from the planet towards the fringes. Strictly speaking, only the battle group comprising the Rothian Admiral's vessel and the Barbarossa was anywhere near the real demilitarised zone. --- "Ok, lets do this." Dr Lang came up behind Marae and gently placed both hands on her shoulders. Her AR glasses lit up with thousands of additional bits of data. Freyr used her implants to gland a chemical mix called Through The Looking Glass. Immediately, it worked to clear her mind of all prior assumptions, while forcing her to 'relearn' everything she witnessed from the scans again. It had proved useful in the past for stimulating the savant part of her brain into making connections which were previously blocked off. "Earth has started getting skittish and ordering us back from the perimeter. We may need to consider our strategy here." Masgard announced. He didn't seem like a quiet lawyer anymore.</s>
<\|description\|>Agent 595 Species: Human Gender: Female Age: UNKNOWN Nationality: UNKNOWN Weapons and/or equipment: UNKNOWN Backstory: UNKNOWN</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr sighed, none of this made any sense. "It sounds like the thing wanted to abduct you as well. Good thing I showed up!" She chuckled, rather morosely. "But you are right. We've had teams looking for other instances of the same technology, but found nothing in over three hundred years." Freyr reached into the deep pockets of her coat and pulled out the sketch she'd been working on while talking to Vreta on the phone. On a real-paper pad was one side of the legs, body and neck of the creature, in firm graphite strokes. "Despite its durability, the creature's makeup leaves lots to be desired." She traced the very end of the neck, where it connected to that ghastly visage. "There was a lot of rugged tissue where the face appeared to have been transplanted on, or grown at an unnatural rate. I think the beast would struggle to turn its head much without moving its whole body." She moved her finger to trace the front right leg. "I believe the Cradle has actually devolved the leg layout to support more weight. But as a result the Coxa here..." She gently tapped the bulbous pack of muscle connecting the leg to the body. "It's composed of much softer stuff than the rest of its body, which makes it vulnerable." Her pad got a few stray drips of rain on it, so she stuffed it back into her coat pocket. "What I'm trying to say is that while the Cradle appears to have used it's massive potential to create giant killing machines, they have serious flaws. Flaws which it could solve if it had access to evolutionary data from other life forms..." She took another bite of her now cold Gỏi cuốn. "I don't know, it's just a theory. But it could explain why it wants to collect different specimens. It's learning. Squeezing evolution from millions of years to months." Freyr pulled her coat around her tight. The sun had completely dipped below the horizon now, and a chill breeze was beginning to pick up. "The way it spoke to you… it feels like a patchwork of imitations. Potentially another instance of it 'learning' to do something. But the bit about 'parents', plural, is interesting." Freyr took another bite, her eyes accidentally locking with a man watching her from the other side of the market. He took a long drag of his stim-cig and looked away. "During my time studying the Cradle…" Freyr continued, watching him start moving. "I've begun to suspect there is more than one intelligence in the Cradle. I've never been able to prove it; the code is bafflingly complex. But the 'mood' of the environment in general changes occasionally. I wonder if the creature has just nodded to that…"</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta leaned back somewhat on the bench and hummed to himself. There were a few, long seconds of silence from him as he ruminated on the situation, which he filled by finishing off the rest of his food. Inwardly, he wished he had been given the chance to study the Cradle in-depth before all of this had happened. The Rothians had been trying to gain access to study the Cradle for many years, and had made some generous offers in that time. If his people had the time for proper research, he had no doubt they could have come to understand it. In his mind, Humanity simply was not yet advanced enough to comprehend what they had in their possession. Once he was finished with his roll, he turned his head back towards Freyr. Despite his opinions of Humanity's usage of the Cradle, he did have to admit that her reasoning was quite sound. She had come to potential conclusions even he had not considered. Granted, he was working with much less direct experience with the Cradle. "Your proposals are reasonable. Really, they could be correct." Vreta finally replied. "An immature AI, one based on learning algorithms, that had not yet been given enough data to mature would match the behaviors we have seen. But why would there be a learning AI within a supercomputer as advanced as the Cradle, I wonder? In Rothian history, there was a time when our most potent AI required a period of time to collect data and learn. However, we have come to the point where we can create AI that are both exceptionally capable of learning, and are mature from their creation. I have to imagine that the creators of the Cradle would have been capable of the same thing. Unless..well, I suppose the theoretical limits of an AI that begins immature are higher, in the long-term. It would have to be quite an important project to justify the inconvenience, though." Once again, Vreta sighed. "Like you said, though, this is all just theory. Speculation. Regardless of the nature of the AI or its purpose, more needs to be learned about it. And the Cradle in general. People have been killed. Terrorists, soldiers, and innocent civilians alike. It is clear that this intelligence, whatever it is, does not discriminate with its victims, and I do not see any reason to believe it is going to stop. And your world, Outremer…perhaps this is just my impression, but your world is exceptionally intertwined with the Cradle. If your people lose control of the Cradle, I do not think it is an exaggeration to say that the society you have built here could come to an end. It is past time for games; it is my opinion that your people should seek aid from the Rothians. I am fairly certain my government would be willing to help."</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr was secretly pleased that the soft spoken alien liked her rationale. He seemed very knowledgeable, and it was so refreshing to share ideas with someone from an advanced species like the Rothians. She did have one other theory that had been gaining momentum as the data pieced together in her mind. It terrified her, but it didn't pass her lips, as something told her to stop. Perhaps it was the medication, granting her clarity of mind, but she suddenly realised she'd said quite a lot. Her work wasn't officially 'classified' top secret, but she had been instructed not to divulge technical information about the Cradle to anyone outside the 'need to know' loop. Vreta's charming mannerisms and leading questions had gently teased information from her drugged up head like an angler fishing in river rapids. Freyr was thinking of ways to get the conversation into safer territory when something, or rather someone caught her attention. The man who had locked eyes with her a few moments before was looking her way again. He turned his head to track them as he walked across the market through thinning crowds, heading vaguely in the direction of the arch Freyr had entered from. When he saw Freyr was looking, his lips twisted into a malicious grin. Time seemed to slow and Vreta's voice faded out. Freyr felt this must be the medication again, heightening her concentration. The man crossed his hand up to the left side of his face, by the cheekbone. His digits were all clenched apart from the index finger, which was crooked like a hook. Pressing that crooked finger against his cheek, the man slowly dragged it down the left side of his face, ending at the chin. The sickening smile never went away. A hooded figure sat on the bench next to them quickly got up and knelt down in front of Freyr, who wrenched her eyes away from the display to look down at them. The figure pushed their hood back slightly, and Freyr recognised the blonde female agent who'd showed up at her place with the pills and the body bag. "Dr Lang, listen to me very carefully ok? The Skinners are here. They're here for you, so we need to get you out of here right now. Do you understand?" Freyr's mouth hung open in astonishment. Why would they be here for her? What had she done to them? "Wait, why are you he-" Freyr began, but the agent obviously had no intention of replying as she quickly spoke to someone via her comms over the top of Freyr. "Five Nine Five calling in a Skinner sighting at Boycott park. Have VIP seventy ten, need urgent extraction, over." She obviously didn't like the answer, gritting her teeth before looking back at Freyr. "I need to get you to get you to your apartment, right now. Lets go." The agent pulled a sleek black silenced pistol out from her long coat. She looked up at Vreta. "Will you help me? I think we both want Dr Lang to make it out of here alive."</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta was less prone to notice odd behavior among Humans compared to Freyr, since his concept of what constituted "odd" for them was not as refined as hers. However, even he could recognize when he was being watched. He was not suprised when they were finally approached, though he feigned enough shock as would be appropriate for a Rothian businessman in his position. Vreta listened to the story that the woman weaved about protecting Freyr from Skinners, but he remained unconvinced. It sounded to him like they just wanted to get them away from a public location. Certainly, he did not trust that any member of the Outremer government would be honest with them; not after their encounter with the man that had interviewed them outside. Vreta knew this game all to well to simply fall into a trap blind. Though, that did not mean he was unwilling to turn a trap to his advantage. Before the woman was even finished speaking, Vreta was already giving his program new instructions. Instead of observing himself, he had it observe the government agent, and identify anyone who might be associated with her. More importantly, he wanted it to observe their communications. In addition to observing anyone she communicated directly with, it also searched other channels for any keywords that might be related. Skinners, government callsigns, anything out of the ordinary for civilian communications.For now, he still had his program keep itself safe to avoid detection, but his program could run circles around Human intrusion detection systems, and it was still not doing anything beyond listening. Vreta was not particularly keen on stepping into danger again, but there were differences this time around. Namely, he was not in the Cradle, and he now had access to his fully array of equipment and capabilities. Whether Skinners or government agents, they did not know who they were dealing with. "I do. I want both of us to be safe. I will help, but why bring her to her apartment? There are more well-protected options. Bring us to the Rothian Embassy and no terrorist will be able to touch her, or me." He suggested. If nothing else, it was a statement that would get those listening in talking in a way his program could hone in on.</s>	<\|message\|>Agent 595 "Because your embassy is miles away, and her apartment is just there." The woman replied, pointing to Freyr's grey colonial mansion block on the edge of the park. "Come on, let's go." She urged, rising to her feet and hauling Freyr up from the bench, pistol down at her side. Tightly holding onto Freyr's arm, she began weaving through the last of the evening crowd, eyes on a swivel. Freyr looked back and could see Vreta following behind. There was a yell ahead and she whirled back around. An old lady wearing a filthy apron appeared from round the side of one of the stalls brandishing a chef's knife. She charged at Freyr with the knife at stomach height, shouting at the top of her lungs. The agent let go of Freyr's arm, stabilised her stance, brought the pistol up and shot her silenced pistol. The old lady clattered to the floor and lay still, her knife skittering along the cobbles. Once they saw the gun, the crowd around them erupted into panicked yelling and began running in all directions. All except a man, the one Freyr had seen earlier, who smashed through a bamboo partition with two meathooks and ambitiously swung one at the agent from her other side. Her hood coming off to expose her short blond locks, she pivoted and leant back, the first hook coming within inches of her face. The agent pushed Freyr roughly back towards Vreta, raised her left arm to parry the second swing. The hook scraped against something hard under her coat. The agent stuck her pistol against the man's chest and shot twice. He stumbled backwards, crashing back through the remains of the partition. "Two hostiles down, moving VIP to her residence." The agent whispered into her comms set, looking back to check on Freyr and Vreta. "Everyone ok?" She mouthed. Freyr nodded. The agent guided them through the now empty marketplace to the leafy arch Freyr had entered through not long before. After a look through, she rounded the corner with her pistol up, and Freyr followed soon after. The first thing she noticed was the lanterns that usually lighted up the path through the park to the road on the other side were dark. The whole area was pitch black. Freyr nearly stumbled and fell, but then she could feel a firm hand grab her arm and guide her along the sloping pathway. The agent moved quickly, calling back encouragingly for Vreta. "Come on, let's move, quickly!" --- Out in the gloom of the park, either side of the pathway, ten men and women with compact night vision goggles emerged from underneath their signal dampening blankets. They picked up their weapons and began sprinting toward their target. --- Freyr estimated that the three of them were almost exactly halfway between the street food market and the road by her building when they attacked. The first thing was the sound of multiple sets of shoes thudding on the wet grass. Then she faintly made out shapes running at them from either side. "Run!" The agent hissed, yanking her arm and setting off at a run, taking Freyr with her. It wasn't until ten seconds of solid running later that Freyr finally looked behind and noticed Vreta wasn't with them. In fact, no one was. All she could see was a writhing mass of dark shapes in the moonlight, and the sounds of muffled shouting and the scraping of metal. "Where's Vreta?!" Freyr half-shouted, but the agent didn't reply as she pulled her into a run again.</s>
<\|description\|>Agent 595 Species: Human Gender: Female Age: UNKNOWN Nationality: UNKNOWN Weapons and/or equipment: UNKNOWN Backstory: UNKNOWN</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr and Five Nine Five were crossing the road to the front doors of her apartment building when small arms fire crackled across the wide expanse of the park. Freyr looked back, but it wasn't long before the agent pushed her head down and hauled her inside. "Lock the doors, let no one in or out!" The agent ordered the concierge droid, who bowed as the double doors next to him slammed shut and a metal roller shutter began creeping down the glass. --- Five Nine Five's Skinner sighting and subsequent call for extraction created a high priority flag in the Babylon law enforcement command system. A team of special counter terrorism firearms officers, stationed a mile away from the park, were put into action after a short delay. Their armoured truck lifted off from a side street, rose to just above tree level and powered through the dark until they could see a brightly lit cobbled square underneath them. There was a disturbance in the park, but their primary objective was to extract the VIP. Five Nine Five's extraction pin was located in this square, so without any further info they came in for a fast, quiet landing. The large vehicle crushed several of the stalls underneath it's vast bulk. A ramp descended quickly at the back and a dozen heavily armoured soldiers crunched out. Their uniforms were black, with 'CTSFO' printed in white on the helmet and variations of 'Caution' printed on their chest in three languages. They were all droids, but it was almost impossible to gauge that from the exterior. Every inch of a human's flesh would be covered by the armour they wore, from the gloves to the opaque helmet. The droids fanned out, quickly moving to secure the extraction zone. They quickly identified two heat signatures on the ground and moved to them, looking to identify the VIP. It turned out these two were unknown, alive but immobilised by specialist nerve rounds. The order came in from their handler to detain them, so a droid easily picked up each of the prone figures and took them toward the waiting truck. The rest of the officers moved to secure each of the entrances to the market. The gunfire from nearby had now ceased, and instead the droids detected the whirr of non-Human dropships overhead and the wail of approaching police sirens. Three of the droids were just moving to secure one of the archways when an unidentified, non-Human entity came running through it. All three of the officers raised their heavy rifles, and one addressed the alien in a deep, commanding Human voice. "Firearms police! Get down on the ground!"</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Running into the market, Vreta was met immediately by police pointing their guns at him. He stopped and put his hands in the air. "Not this again…" he muttered to himself. Before the police even spoke, he already linked his implant with the comms channel of the peacekeepers in the dropship just above them. "Get some of your people down here. I'm going to need some help with these officers." As the dropship lowered closer to the ground, Vreta kept his hands clearly in the air, though pointed a finger at the Rothian vehicle. "Don't shoot, I'm with them." He said, sounding more annoyed than afraid. The market was too crowded with structures for a landing right where they were, but after a moment, once the dropship was low enough, several Rothian peacekeeping officers dropped out the back down to the ground. They all wore clearly marked uniforms, similar to other specialist police forces on Outremer, and, as per their agreements with the local government, carried exclusively non-lethal weapons. Though, one of their more striking features were their imposing physiques. Like Rothian soldiers, their police also received extensive combat augmentations. Each one of them was at least a full head taller than Vreta, who himself was far from short by Rothian standards. The peacekeepers' commander stepped forward to diffuse the situation. "Stand down. He is under our jurisdiction. And a victim, besides that." Using his implants to send his messages to the commander's helmet radio, Vreta continued to speak to him in secret. Vreta was not interested in sticking around the crime scene with the local police, but what did interest him were the bodies he saw being loaded onto a truck nearby. Just by that fact alone, he already had a strong suspicion they were alive. If they were dead, procedure would be to leave them in place until the crime scene had been properly analyzed, and it had only been a few minutes. Still, he would not mind confirmation. "Those bodies they just loaded onto that truck, I need to know if they are still alive. Say…say that they are persons of interest in this attack, and you want to interview them later. Ask what condition they are in." The commander did not react to Vreta, though he followed the order without question. Though first, he did glance back at his own team and motion towards the crime scene. "Get some scans for the area for these officers, then provide assistance until I call you back." He ordered. He then slung his stun rifle over his shoulder and approached the Human officer in charge in a more relaxed posture. "Those people you were loading on that truck when we flew in, we think they might be involved in an attack on a Rothian citizen. What's their condition? Will they be ready for an interview anytime soon?" He asked.</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 Five Nine Five bustled into the lobby elevators behind Freyr and sent it hurtling up to the seventh floor. She poked her head out when the doors opened back up again and looked both ways down the hallway. Satisfied it was clear, the spook led Freyr out and marched her to her apartment door. She snatched the keycard from Freyr's hand and opened the door herself. Walking softly into the dark room with her pistol raised, Five Nine Five pantomimed searching the room before eventually giving Freyr the all clear to come in. When Freyr came in and turned the lights on, she could see the spook standing by one of the large windows. Freyr realised someone was speaking to her via an implant, as the woman was intensely concentrating on the floor under her feet. Looking Freyr's way briefly, the agent motioned for her to turn the lights off again, which she did. "Understood, ETA on a perimeter for this building? Copy." Five Nine Five confirmed as Freyr took her coat off. After a few moments, the agent disconnected her comms and looked quickly out of the window again before walking over to Freyr. "I have to go. Police are sixty seconds away, they're going to guard your apartment and the perimeter of the building. You'll be safe here until we collect you tomorrow. The agent then quickly squeezed past Freyr and headed to the door. "Wait, where are you going?" Freyr called after, but the agent didn't answer, instead exiting the apartment and locking the door after her. --- The Human droid handler had just walked down the truck's ramp after receiving the all clear from their surrounding area. He could direct the droids with just the use of a neural implant, so when the commander got to him the man's eyes were rolled back in his head. His arms were slightly raised in front of him and all his fingers twitched relentlessly. When the Rothian spoke, his eyes rolled back and he looked decidedly annoyed at the interruption. "They're out of action for at least a few days. Nerve agent." He explained, glancing at the pair of droids inside the truck as they secured the pair of bodies for extraction. "File an incident report and we'll let you know when they're awake again." --- After confirming through Demeter that it was Human police trucks she could hear arriving outside, Five Nine Five opened up the security plating and stepped through the double doors. Half a dozen vehicles had arrived and parked in the middle of the road. Behind them, the agent could see a mixture of Rothian and Human vehicles circling the market and an area of the park a few hundred metres away. The air was electrified with sirens and airship engines, and she could feel a cold wind ruffling her coat. One of the officers from the closest truck approached her and saluted. "Your orders, ma'am?" "Take six and guard apartment 712, have the rest form a perimeter around this building. No one in or out tonight. The AI is expecting you." The officer nodded, and began relaying the orders to the other people. Five Nine Five looked around for her ride. After a couple of seconds she spotted it, an anonymous black flyer that had landed on the wide curb about thirty metres away. She half-jogged toward it.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Once he had his answer, Vreta had no desire to wait around any longer at the market. Once the Rothian commander had finished speaking to the Human officer, Vreta spoke to him again through his comm unit. [i]"That is the answer I needed. There is a government agent nearby, a Human woman. If she did not kill those two, then I have strong evidence she is associated with the people who attacked me. I'm giving you a copy of my entire recording of the incident, but we need to move quickly. We have enough evidence to arrest her under suspicion of her role in trying to murder me, as well as a potential association with a terrorist group. I doubt the charges will stick, but even if they don't, it can still work to our favor." The commander nodded along as Vreta spoke, then guided him into the back of the dropship they had arrived in. "Are you sure about this?" He asked Vreta. "Arresting a government agent could cause a mess of trouble." "Yes, but I don't think we have to worry about that. It's just an arrest. And we definitely shouldn't put up a fight if they want her released. Whether or not the charges stick, even the Humans will have to admit that we had more than enough evidence to arrest her on suspicion. She'll likely know that too, so she'll probably come quietly." Vreta reasoned. Again, the commander nodded. "Understood. Should I recall my team?" Vreta shook his head. "No, we need to hurry. I doubt we'll need more than you and your droids. Besides, it would be best for us to have our own records of the crime scene, as well. Speaking of, we need to make sure we have people investigating my attackers as well." "We already have a dropship there as we speak." The commander answered. "Good. I didn't kill all of them, so at least some of them might live for questioning if they get medical attention." --- As the Rothian dropship flew in towards Freyr's apartment building, one of its many cameras spotted the crowd of police gathered out front. Zooming in on them from a distance, it only took a moment for the dropship's facial recognition software to identify the very agent Vreta was seeking. As she started to move towards a nearby vehicle, the Rothian peacekeeper acted quickly. The dropship swept in low and stopped with seemingly impossible precision and speed between the agent and her escape. For an outside observer, the rapid deceleration looked like it would be enough to kill anyone inside, yet those within did not feel a thing. Out the back of the dropship, Vreta was the first to step out, followed close behind by the Rothian commander and three Rothian droids. Each of the machines were built in the shape and size of an augmented Rothian soldier, and their plating was sleek, smooth, and white in color. They did carry weapons, though they were the same non-lethal rifles as the commander wielded. All of Vreta's injuries still showed plainly on his body, from his exposed skull and ribs, to the hole through his gut and the many other lacerations he had received. Yet, the way he walked made it seem like he was unaware of any of them. He also wore a belt he did not have before, which seemed to have a small, circular device on the front. "Hello there." Vreta said in a calm, even tone. "Why don't you just stop there for a moment, 'agent'? We need to talk."</s>	<\|message\|>Agent 595 The blonde spook stopped mid stride as the airship appeared right in front of her. She sighed, hands on her hips as the doors opened. "What's the meaning of this-" She trailed off as Vreta stepped out. She'd received word that he was alive a couple of minutes before, in Freyr's flat, but the sight of this half blasted alien lizard still shook her. Half of his face had been blown away, and she could see exposed innards glinting in the street lights. Five Nine Five quickly smoothed over her surprised expression into something more closely resembling concern. "Vreta...Look what they did to you. I'm glad you survived." She tsked, taking in the extensive damage to the alien's exterior. "At least you had military-grade augmentations to save you." She looked squarely in Vreta's eyes. "What is it you wanted to talk about? Would it be something to do with your curiously obscured conversation with one of our scientists?" At the same time as this, Five Nine Five was communicating non-verbally with her handler via implant. "We might have a problem. I need another agent to cover my VIP, right now. Transfer operational authority to them straight away." The periphery of her vision flashed briefly, signalling her message had been received. The agent smiled sweetly at the Rothians.</s>
<\|description\|>Agent 595 Species: Human Gender: Female Age: UNKNOWN Nationality: UNKNOWN Weapons and/or equipment: UNKNOWN Backstory: UNKNOWN</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori "I'm feeling fine, personally." Vreta answered Agent 595. "I slept in a while. It was nice to get some rest after yesterday. I also got a good workout this morning, or…well, a decent one. The civilian gym on the ship isn't really meant for my level of augmentations. I put in a request for higher grade equipment; I just hope they don't see me as too 'demanding'. I'm here to solve problems, not cause them." He grinned. Vreta maintained his friendly demeanor when he turned his attention towards Freyr. "And how are you, Freyr? I'll admit, I didn't expect to find you in a place like this. I didn't take you for a soldier. Of course, I suppose I don't look like much of one on the outside either, so…appearances can be deceiving." Vreta gave a quick glance downrange at the targets. He did have some work-related questions to ask Freyr, but it was hardly time-sensitive. "Are you two going to be staying at the range for any longer? I wouldn't mind joining in, myself."</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 Freyr didn't know what to think when Vreta addressed her. If what 595 had said was true, part of her hated both of them for getting her involved in this skulduggery; frankly she wanted no part in it. There was also a part of her that simply didn't believe 595's narrative. Freyr didn't know anything about her, or the mysterious Director-General who was apparently was in charge of them both. Their evident commitment to the Cradle appeared to dwarf even hers, and she wasn't clear why yet. She vaguely remembered claims of assassination being flung around in that fateful meeting a few months ago. But here 595 and Vreta'Sori both stood, being perfectly cordial with each other. She just couldn't make sense of it. For now, she just had to focus on getting through this conversation without slipping up. Freyr partially returned to her senses when Vreta said something about her not being a soldier. "Yeah, I umm, I wanted to learn how to defend myself. Seemed appropriate, considering everything that's happened." She glanced at the time, she'd been here a while already, but couldn't think of any good reason to leave, so she nodded. "I can carry on.." She looked at 595, who nodded strenuously. "I'm not going anywhere - this is far too much fun. Shall we make things a bit more interesting?" She fiddled with the interface for a few seconds and the targets began moving quickly in all directions downrange. Freyr's eyes grew wide when she saw the speeds the targets were moving at "Err...this is my first time on the range, i'm not sure i'll be able to-" "You'll be fine! They won't bite you, just watch their path and try to anticipate where they'll be when you fire." 595 chirped, heading back to her booth before raising her massive assault rifle and laying waste to half a dozen targets at once. The noise was deafening, which made it all the harder for Freyr to focus on shooting her own targets. "I hope our feeble selection of Human weapons doesn't disappoint your Rothian sensibilities, Vreta?" 595 asked in the short pause after her gun stopped to cool down.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta shrugged, looking down at the simple pistol he took in his hand once he went to his own booth. "They are fairly small in my hands, and of course your weapons don't have the power of our own, but they are still lethal. And they are still a step up from some of the other weapons I have seen out in the galaxy. There are species out there still using metal and gunpowder for their projectiles." The most important detail about the pistol to Vreta was the fact that it had software that could link to his neural implant. With that, his combat assistance program could paint a reticle for him, even if the weapon itself was out of his field of view. It could also visualize recommended adjustments for him to make to put himself on target, and even display the predicted path of the projectile. The chaotic conditions of real combat could certainly muddy the waters, but his combat suite essentially made simple target shooting trivial. He did not even need to use particularly good form in order for him to land shot after shot with remarkable accuracy onto vital areas of the simulated targets. Unlike the agent, Vreta still paid attention to what Freyr was doing after finishing his targets. He put down his weapon and leaned back out of his booth. "Do you have any implants that would help you with shooting, Freyr? I just want to get an idea of what sort of assistance you may or may not be getting."</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 "The instructor offered to update my suite to put some kind of crosshair in my view. I turned it down, although i think i can see the use of it now…" Freyr replied, shooting and failing again to hit a speeding target. "Actually, Instructor, can you give me the crosshair please?" she called into the open air. Immediately after, she could feel something interfacing with her general purpose communications implant. A small red + appeared superimposed on her vision, and moved around as she waved her pistol. "You would benefit from a dedicated combat module. This crosshair is using resources from a multi-purpose civilian implant, which-" Freyr bade the Instructor be quiet, and aimed at the fast-moving targets. She found that with a little bit of practice, she could co-ordinate her hand and eye to track them much better. Freyr cheered out loud despite herself after stringing together three hits in a row. "Well done, Dr Lang!" 595 exclaimed. "Shall we introduce a new challenge? How about a 360 degree attack vector? Instructor, switch it up!" All the details of the shooting range disappeared, replaced by a pure black background that soaked up the light from above. A pulsing X marked the spot where the three of them should stand, backs to each other. Targets appeared all around them. "Don't let the targets touch you, or you're out!" 595 gushed, effortlessly disconnecting her used rifle battery and kicking it away in favour of a fresh one. Freyr gulped and tried to steady her hand as the targets began moving side to side at lightning speed. Something registered in the corner of her vision and she moved mainly on instinct and shot a target about a metre from her leg. 595's assault rifle began firing at full pelt, filling the sim-box with crackling energy noise again. "They're going slightly fast!" Freyr shouted over the din, shooting another.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori It was an amusing game that the agent was playing, in more ways than one. She set them up in a new, perhaps more exciting challenge. The targets could move more quickly, and in more directions. Although, it still was, at its core, target shooting. The software of Vreta's implants could keep up with targets far faster hand his hands could ever hope to track, so his perceptions were no bottleneck. Between his predictive targeting and aim assistance, the change in scenario led to no change in his performance. He did have to keep his eyes on the targets to aim at full effectiveness, but beyond that, he could hit them firing from the hip. Still just with the simple pistol, he had no trouble keeping up. Vreta kept his eyes forward, but spoke calmly towards Freyr behind him. "It's good practice to shoot in chaotic environments. A shootout is not a calm experience. There will be shouting, plenty of noise. You just have to focus on what is in front of you. Your target and your aim, that is what matters."</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 "Yes. And in a situation like this, you must always look out for your teammates. Or someone could come and stab them in the back!" 595 added, pivoting to shoot two incoming targets on the periphery of Freyr's vision. Freyr would've responded to these words of encouragement, had she not been solely focused on hitting targets. She could only keep up with the fast pace of action for about thirty seconds before two simultaneous thrusts by the floating shapes made contact with her. A klaxon sounded and the targets abruptly stopped moving. "Oh, bad luck!" 595 patted Freyr on the shoulder, her rifle pointing up at the ceiling. "I'd say you have promise. Keep practicing and we'll make a warrior of you yet. I can teach you all sorts of moves if you're interested?" Freyr hadn't been sure what to expect when she'd entered the shooting range. But she actually found it quite exhilarating. It kept her mind off what might be happening back home, while also sharpening a skill that could keep her alive in hostile environments. Freyr nodded. "I'd really appreciate some tips. Despite letting the team down I quite enjoyed that; thank you both." 595 grinned, bouncing excitedly on the balls of her feet. "How exciting! I think this will be a real bonding experience for both of us. I've also been put in charge of keeping you safe at all times - that's actually what I came to tell you before we started shooting. So we'll be seeing a lot more of each other." Freyr hesitantly returned the agent's smile. "Isn't that what all these soldiers are here for?" She asked. "Well, yes. They'll be protecting you too. But the Director-General wanted someone who has the relevant experience with Cradle-tech to be your last line of defence." The pretty lady replied before spreading her piercing gaze between Freyr and Vreta. "Do you want to run another simulation? You can choose this time, big guy."</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori On Vreta's part, the agent's role did not particularly bother him. Despite their history, there was some advantage to keeping her close. Vreta was reasonably certain the Humans had a saying regarding just that. In any case, he took a moment to review the stats on Freyr's performance in the simulation once the round ended. She did well-enough, considering her relative experience. With some upgrades to her implants and just some regular practice, he felt she could become comfortable enough with a weapon to reasonably defend herself. Although, it would also depend on how skilled she wanted to become. "If you are simply wanting to become comfortable enough with a weapon to be able to defend yourself in emergencies, I would say there is no problem using every tool at your disposal. Though, if you want to become truly skilled in a fight, there is a more comprehensive form of training you could follow." Vreta commented to Freyr. "For Rothian soldiers, we start our training without the assistance of our implants. We use just our own senses, our own reactions, our own bodies. We develop our skills from there, then add implants on top of it. That is quite a time-consuming process, though, so it is up to you whether you would find that sort of training worthwhile. Honestly, if there is one skill in particular from that training I would say is worthwhile for you to learn, it would be to keep a calm mental focus, even under stress. There are plenty of people who can aim well at the firing range, but panic when the targets are shooting back." Vreta went ahead and started going through the selections for simulation scenarios once Agent 595 made the suggestion. Assuming Freyr wanted to run another one, he decided to pick something that would benefit from keeping a cool head. It was a scenario that involved shooting hostile targets, while avoiding shooting innocent targets. "As I mentioned in my message, I do have a few questions to ask you, Freyr. I have a primer on Rothia meant for tourists that I would like to edit to help your people adapt to our world, and I just wanted to run a few of my ideas by you. It is nothing time-sensitive nor difficult, though. We could run a few more rounds of this, if you like, then discuss it in a more relaxed environment. Perhaps one with less gunshots. We could visit that 'beach room' Masgard mentioned, if you like?"</s>	<\|message\|>Agent 595 Freyr seized gratefully on the legitimate excuse to bring training to a close. As much as she'd enjoyed the session, she'd already been at the range for close to two hours. Even on a weekend, a little string at the back of her mind was pulling Freyr back to her team and all the work that needed to be done. "Ah yeah, i totally forgot. I actually think I've been on the range enough for today, so let's run through your ideas. The beach sounds good, as i think it's on the way back to the lab? Perhaps we can go again tomorrow…?" Freyr directed the last sentence at the black-clad agent still cradling a heavy assault rifle, but tailed off when she realised she still didn't know her real name. 595 looked slightly crestfallen when it became clear Freyr was done, but perked up slightly on a promise of a rematch. "Alright, i'll allow it. You kids have fun." She gave Freyr a pointed look before resuming the target shooting simulation. Her rifle began firing at full tilt even before Vreta and Freyr had even filed out of the box. Glancing back to see her gracefully covering all vectors, Freyr could at least say she was pleased the agent was tasked with protecting her. She wouldn't want to be enemies with her. They exchanged small talk on the short trip from the combat simulation area to 'Beach Leisure B35'. Freyr couldn't help but smile upon seeing what lay behind the blast doors. The first thing she noticed was the ceiling, which had for all intents and purposes had an exact replica of Outremer's sun beaming down from it. The sky was hologrammed in too, with tiny fluffy clouds gathering in the corners of the room. Freyr instantly felt a sense of open space and could see the benefits of this kind of facility. The beach was equally delightful. An L shaped bank of sand with tropical trees and bushes gathered against the walls led down to a pool of azure water. Waves gently lapped onto the beach. The only human structures were the deckchairs arranged along the beach and a small lifeguards hut. As it was still not even lunchtime, there were only a few dozen sailors hanging out to enjoy the heat. Freyr couldn't resist. She rushed to a deckchair and took off her shoes, socks and jumper. Leaving them by the chair, she rolled up her trouser legs and headed straight to the water's edge. The water was warm and inviting. She turned back to Vreta. "It's lovely! Are you comfortable with water?"</s>
<\|description\|>Agent 595 Species: Human Gender: Female Age: UNKNOWN Nationality: UNKNOWN Weapons and/or equipment: UNKNOWN Backstory: UNKNOWN</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang "Perhaps. Direct communication between the Cradle and anything outside Babylon's biosphere is basically impossible. In theory, you could transmit information indirectly through all of the connections the Cradle has with our infrastructure on Outremer." Freyr mused as they rounded a large bank of workspace to the console. She shooed Dr Hou away from the interface's main seat in Cantonese and began manipulating a holo of a double helix, regressing Vreta's DNA back to its original form. "However, these connections are basically all one way: outward from the Cradle. Which means any inward traffic would raise flags that are closely monitored. The most public devices I can think of that freely send information into the Cradle are the entry harnesses and implants. But even then, they serve the quite simple purpose of associating that person with a Cradle ID. No wiggle room for other information that i can think of..." With the DNA strand returned to a pre-augmented state, Freyr and several of her team stripped it back even further. They pulled at the thread that was evolution, following a trail of mutations back through the entire history of the Rothian species. "So with conventional signals unlikely, where does that leave us? We know the Cradle has the ability to manipulate DNA, from the creatures that attacked us. What if, whatever may be on Rothia...did something similar to you, in the hope that you'll find your way to the Cradle? With a similar 'signature' style, the Cradle would be able to recognise anything related to it straight away. Moreover, the Rothia entity could encode all sorts of information into your genes, including patterns that can be converted into coordinates." With Vreta's DNA now devolved to a very early point in Rothian development, Freyr motioned for her team to stop. Putting on a pair of overlay glasses to add some of the annotations back into her view of the holo, Freyr brought in a DNA sample found in all of the Cradle creature samples. Dr Hou and several more of the team activated a machine learning algorithm to detect similarities and patterns. Parts of each structure began quickly highlighting as the program cross-referenced them.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta could easily along with what Freyr was suggesting, though he had a hard time accepting it as anything more than a fantasy. For it to be true would upend their concept of the history of life on their planet. A planet that, as of right now, still did not show any evidence for the presence of intelligent life before themselves. Of course, if there was something related to the Cradle on Rothia, then that alone would rewrite their history. "That is…well I can't say that I can outright deny it as a possibility, but for that to be true would require our species to have been manipulated, maybe even formed, by an ancient species that left no trace of themselves on our planet. Our DNA has been thoroughly sequenced and explored, as has the DNA of nearly every living thing on our planet. We have never found anything we would identify as coordinates. Something like that would almost certainly have to be found in junk DNA, as it is highly unlikely that a set of spacial coordinates would just so happen to code for a useful protein. But even our junk DNA has been explored thoroughly. The only way I would imagine that being possible is if the Cradle's software used a notation for coordinates that would be unfamiliar to us. My people, of course, have not been allowed direct access to Cradle software before, so I would not know how its notations for programming and mathematics would differ." Vreta admitted.</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 "Yes, the Cradle has its own language that is baffling in scale and complexity. We don't understand all of it yet, but we should be able to at least pick up this 'signature' if it appears." Freyr explained as a shape moving into the lab caught her eye. Looking up, she saw Agent 595 approaching, a curious look on her face. "What's going on in here?" She asked, wearing a polite smile. Freyr began to explain, but a noise from the console interrupted her halfway through. "Oh my…" she murmured, utterly engrossed in the data displaying in her overlay glasses. Dr Hou began shouting excitedly in Cantonese and grabbed one of his colleagues to double check. "Vreta... i think we have a match!" Freyr looked up at the alien, eyes shining behind her glasses. On the hologram, numerous small patterns were simultaneously detected and pulled out of the double Helix. "Your DNA presents multiple similarities with a Cradle design!" Pretty much everyone in the lab had stopped to watch this experiment unfold by this point. When the results came in, they all began excitedly whooping, yelling, chatting and crowding around Freyr to congratulate her. She grinned broadly, still unable to believe what she was seeing. She returned a few high fives before dishing out further orders; namely to decode the exact coordinates from the data. Her team swirled around her like a shoal of fish as they got to work. 595 came around to Vreta's side and watched his expression with an inscrutable stare. "Welcome to the family. What're you going to do now?"</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta was not chatting and cheering as was most of the crowd. In fact, he was rather firmly silent. Despite all his training and mental fortitude, the magnitude of this potential revelation was enough to coax some visible reaction out of him, even if it was just a few seconds of a wide-eyed stare with his mouth slightly agape. It did not take long for Vreta to compose himself externally, though he still did not give much attention to the others in the room. He became stony-faced and remained silent, not even giving a reply to Agent 595 before he calmly moved to the console and began checking and re-checking both the data and the signatures they had been looking for. When the chattering between Freyr's team started to soften, Vreta spoke with a strange, unemotional calm to his voice. "I would hesitate to celebrate so quickly. These results still need to be checked, and other explanations eliminated. I am noticing that your methodology for extrapolating our evolutionary history does involve some guesswork to bridge some gaps. Well-educated guesswork, granted, but there is some room for uncertainty. I will make sure to get you more comprehensive data on our genetic history so the test can be run under more ideal conditions. I suggest you keep testing and examining any potential source of error. If this is a conclusion that is going to be presented…we need to make sure it is undeniable. I believe I shall go…take some time to think. Perhaps finish editing those pamphlets. Though before I do…" Vreta let out a sigh, then looked up from the console towards Freyr. "This test you just performed on my genetic code, this search for Cradle signatures…has it ever been performed on Human DNA?"</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr looked at Vreta and immediately realised she'd been insensitive. This discovery, if correct, could change everything he thought he knew about himself. She was still learning Rothian expressions, but her new friend seemed "Yes of course, we'll make sure we're one hundred percent certain before going any further." She reached out and put her hand on Vreta's as it lay forlornly across the console, giving it a squeeze. "Everything is going to be OK, i promise." Vreta's last question caught Freyr off guard - she withdrew her hand and scratched her head. "I suppose, no...we haven't. We've only been able to analyse organic tissue samples from Cradle creatures for a few months. I don't think we've looked at our own DNA…" Freyr looked around at her team, and a few of them shook their heads. "But I can see your logic...Dr Hou, get me a swab kit!" The lab was now in a frenzy, and Freyr quickly blocked out all non-participants. "I think we should leave them to it. We'll only get in the way of this well-oiled machine." 595 said, appearing at Vreta's side again. She wanted to get the Rothian away from the lab in case another earth-shattering discovery was made; information was flowing a little bit too freely right now. Then, she could buy some time to report back to her superiors and get her orders.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta gave no objections to leaving, as he had his own concerns to deal with. Although the revelations did not do too much to increase his workload aboard the ship over the next two weeks, I did dominate many waking hours of thought. He had access to acceptable FTL communications, so he could send ahead data and alert his people to be prepared to test this new discovery, but there was little else he could do in that regard. Once he had distributed informative pamphlets among the crew, and held a few more meetings with certain important individuals to ensure they knew what to expect from Rothia, all there was for Vreta was to await their arrival. In all his centuries, the two weeks aboard the Barbarossa were probably the longest two weeks of his life. Until their ship arrived, there was little progress that could be made on any front, just waiting and wondering. Even by his own high standards, there was plenty for Vreta to do to occupy his time, but it was never enough to distract his thoughts. Regardless, he still made the attempt. Most of his time he spent alone, browsing whatever entertainment the ship had on offer. Human media was not something that was new to him, even before taking his position on Outremer. Entertainment from multiple species were distributed and sold throughout the galaxy, wherever there might be a market for it. Some of their entertainment did demonstrate parts of their more peculiar facets, but Vreta could still enjoy it. Otherwise, he divided his time between relaxing in the beach room, and chatting with members of the crew. He decided to get to know some of the people he would be working with a bit better, like Freyr, her team, and even Magard. Agent 595…less so. Regardless, when it did finally come time for the ship to arrive at Rothia, he still invited her to join him in the observation room along with Freyr and the others. Vreta stood up at the front of the room near the massive window that gave them their view of what was ahead of the ship. FTL warped spacetime in a way that was almost unrecognizable to the eyes, but once they dropped to sub-luminal speeds, everything came clearly into view. They had dropped out of FTL a safe distance from, but within clear view of Rothia. The planet itself, from high above, was a world of green continents and blue oceans, with the reddish brown of some deserts scattered around, like many habitable worlds. There was a notable lack of ice caps, with a green forest on the northern pole, and ocean on the south. Though, it was what was in space that was more eye-catching. It had a ring system about its equator to rival that of some gas giants, proportionally. They were mostly shades of white, brown, and tinges of other colors. Ultimately, while Rothia itself was eye-catching in its own right, it was what was beyond the planet that would certainly capture the attention and imagination of any onlookers, for Rothia did not orbit a standard, main-sequence star. In fact, it did not orbit a star at all. The object at the center of the system was an active stellar-mass black hole. Instead of nuclear fusion, it was the intense energy of its accretion disk that provided Rothia's heat and light. To see the total blackness of the void at its center, even from a distance, was a sight was was spectacular to many, and haunting to some.</s>	<\|message\|>Agent 595 The Welcome Wagon The rest of Barbarossa's two week journey to Rothia passed in a flurry of activity for Freyr. The discovery of Cradle-like interference in Rothian genetics had to be verified beyond a shadow of a doubt. The team cross referenced seven different Cradle creature samples with the complete library of Rothian DNA history Vreta provided. On day four, Freyr could say with some certainty that a complex message was hidden in Vreta's junk DNA. Part of that message was incomprehensible, but they were able to extract the same coordinates the comms array had pinged back on Outremer. After a couple of mandated delays, they tested a sample of Human DNA in the same way on day three. 595 showed up with a delegate from the Security Council and classified it Top Secret, meaning the experiment was conducted behind closed doors. Apart from work, which took up about seventy percent of her waking hours, Freyr spent time in the combat simulator with 595 and (sometimes) Masgard. They practiced on targets and gradually became more familiar with a variety of weapons. Freyr found out that Masgard was something of an Outremer aristocrat; he could trace his lineage back to the small first wave of colonists that landed on the planet. He had been a partner at one of Babylon's top law firms before being poached to work for the Director-General. Freyr couldn't coax any details out of Agent 595, not even her real name. The captain had referred to her as 'from Cradle Security', but Freyr sincerely doubted that was the case. CraSec, up until a few months ago, had been a bunch of glorified night watchmen. Behind 595's friendly, occasionally excitable persona was a vicious solo operator who seemed at ease in extremely dangerous situations. On day seven, she clinically dismantled multiple combat droids in hand to hand combat with Freyr and Masgard watching in disbelief. The same day, 595 insisted on clearing a kill house meant for four people on her own. To unwind from all this, Freyr spent a bit more time in the beach room. However she couldn't stay in there alone, often electing to invite Vreta. That was on her own, she always ended up thinking about how she never got the chance to take David and Amy to a beach. In fact, every one of Freyr's waking moments not occupied by frenzied activity somehow wound back to thinking about her family. She did not sleep easily, and her dreams were plagued by Cradle monsters. She was excited to see Rothia, having read up on what to expect beforehand. But when Vreta invited her to the observation deck on arrival day, it surpassed all expectations. "Oh, wow!" She exclaimed, covering her open mouth with both hands at the sight of the famed black hole. "Look at that.." Masgard murmured beside her. "Very picturesque, Vreta'Sori! I can see why you wanted us to come all this way now." 595 grinned, patting the top of Vreta's tail where a Human's behind would've been. Freyr's team were like kids in an aquarium, pressing their noses to the glass to get as close as possible. "Such a pretty planet, too!" Freyr cooed, taking in all the colours of the rings. She took pictures via her implant and resolved to show them to David and Amy when she saw them next.</s>
<\|description\|>Agent 595 Species: Human Gender: Female Age: UNKNOWN Nationality: UNKNOWN Weapons and/or equipment: UNKNOWN Backstory: UNKNOWN</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta was not chatting and cheering as was most of the crowd. In fact, he was rather firmly silent. Despite all his training and mental fortitude, the magnitude of this potential revelation was enough to coax some visible reaction out of him, even if it was just a few seconds of a wide-eyed stare with his mouth slightly agape. It did not take long for Vreta to compose himself externally, though he still did not give much attention to the others in the room. He became stony-faced and remained silent, not even giving a reply to Agent 595 before he calmly moved to the console and began checking and re-checking both the data and the signatures they had been looking for. When the chattering between Freyr's team started to soften, Vreta spoke with a strange, unemotional calm to his voice. "I would hesitate to celebrate so quickly. These results still need to be checked, and other explanations eliminated. I am noticing that your methodology for extrapolating our evolutionary history does involve some guesswork to bridge some gaps. Well-educated guesswork, granted, but there is some room for uncertainty. I will make sure to get you more comprehensive data on our genetic history so the test can be run under more ideal conditions. I suggest you keep testing and examining any potential source of error. If this is a conclusion that is going to be presented…we need to make sure it is undeniable. I believe I shall go…take some time to think. Perhaps finish editing those pamphlets. Though before I do…" Vreta let out a sigh, then looked up from the console towards Freyr. "This test you just performed on my genetic code, this search for Cradle signatures…has it ever been performed on Human DNA?"</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang Freyr looked at Vreta and immediately realised she'd been insensitive. This discovery, if correct, could change everything he thought he knew about himself. She was still learning Rothian expressions, but her new friend seemed "Yes of course, we'll make sure we're one hundred percent certain before going any further." She reached out and put her hand on Vreta's as it lay forlornly across the console, giving it a squeeze. "Everything is going to be OK, i promise." Vreta's last question caught Freyr off guard - she withdrew her hand and scratched her head. "I suppose, no...we haven't. We've only been able to analyse organic tissue samples from Cradle creatures for a few months. I don't think we've looked at our own DNA…" Freyr looked around at her team, and a few of them shook their heads. "But I can see your logic...Dr Hou, get me a swab kit!" The lab was now in a frenzy, and Freyr quickly blocked out all non-participants. "I think we should leave them to it. We'll only get in the way of this well-oiled machine." 595 said, appearing at Vreta's side again. She wanted to get the Rothian away from the lab in case another earth-shattering discovery was made; information was flowing a little bit too freely right now. Then, she could buy some time to report back to her superiors and get her orders.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta gave no objections to leaving, as he had his own concerns to deal with. Although the revelations did not do too much to increase his workload aboard the ship over the next two weeks, I did dominate many waking hours of thought. He had access to acceptable FTL communications, so he could send ahead data and alert his people to be prepared to test this new discovery, but there was little else he could do in that regard. Once he had distributed informative pamphlets among the crew, and held a few more meetings with certain important individuals to ensure they knew what to expect from Rothia, all there was for Vreta was to await their arrival. In all his centuries, the two weeks aboard the Barbarossa were probably the longest two weeks of his life. Until their ship arrived, there was little progress that could be made on any front, just waiting and wondering. Even by his own high standards, there was plenty for Vreta to do to occupy his time, but it was never enough to distract his thoughts. Regardless, he still made the attempt. Most of his time he spent alone, browsing whatever entertainment the ship had on offer. Human media was not something that was new to him, even before taking his position on Outremer. Entertainment from multiple species were distributed and sold throughout the galaxy, wherever there might be a market for it. Some of their entertainment did demonstrate parts of their more peculiar facets, but Vreta could still enjoy it. Otherwise, he divided his time between relaxing in the beach room, and chatting with members of the crew. He decided to get to know some of the people he would be working with a bit better, like Freyr, her team, and even Magard. Agent 595…less so. Regardless, when it did finally come time for the ship to arrive at Rothia, he still invited her to join him in the observation room along with Freyr and the others. Vreta stood up at the front of the room near the massive window that gave them their view of what was ahead of the ship. FTL warped spacetime in a way that was almost unrecognizable to the eyes, but once they dropped to sub-luminal speeds, everything came clearly into view. They had dropped out of FTL a safe distance from, but within clear view of Rothia. The planet itself, from high above, was a world of green continents and blue oceans, with the reddish brown of some deserts scattered around, like many habitable worlds. There was a notable lack of ice caps, with a green forest on the northern pole, and ocean on the south. Though, it was what was in space that was more eye-catching. It had a ring system about its equator to rival that of some gas giants, proportionally. They were mostly shades of white, brown, and tinges of other colors. Ultimately, while Rothia itself was eye-catching in its own right, it was what was beyond the planet that would certainly capture the attention and imagination of any onlookers, for Rothia did not orbit a standard, main-sequence star. In fact, it did not orbit a star at all. The object at the center of the system was an active stellar-mass black hole. Instead of nuclear fusion, it was the intense energy of its accretion disk that provided Rothia's heat and light. To see the total blackness of the void at its center, even from a distance, was a sight was was spectacular to many, and haunting to some.</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 The Welcome Wagon The rest of Barbarossa's two week journey to Rothia passed in a flurry of activity for Freyr. The discovery of Cradle-like interference in Rothian genetics had to be verified beyond a shadow of a doubt. The team cross referenced seven different Cradle creature samples with the complete library of Rothian DNA history Vreta provided. On day four, Freyr could say with some certainty that a complex message was hidden in Vreta's junk DNA. Part of that message was incomprehensible, but they were able to extract the same coordinates the comms array had pinged back on Outremer. After a couple of mandated delays, they tested a sample of Human DNA in the same way on day three. 595 showed up with a delegate from the Security Council and classified it Top Secret, meaning the experiment was conducted behind closed doors. Apart from work, which took up about seventy percent of her waking hours, Freyr spent time in the combat simulator with 595 and (sometimes) Masgard. They practiced on targets and gradually became more familiar with a variety of weapons. Freyr found out that Masgard was something of an Outremer aristocrat; he could trace his lineage back to the small first wave of colonists that landed on the planet. He had been a partner at one of Babylon's top law firms before being poached to work for the Director-General. Freyr couldn't coax any details out of Agent 595, not even her real name. The captain had referred to her as 'from Cradle Security', but Freyr sincerely doubted that was the case. CraSec, up until a few months ago, had been a bunch of glorified night watchmen. Behind 595's friendly, occasionally excitable persona was a vicious solo operator who seemed at ease in extremely dangerous situations. On day seven, she clinically dismantled multiple combat droids in hand to hand combat with Freyr and Masgard watching in disbelief. The same day, 595 insisted on clearing a kill house meant for four people on her own. To unwind from all this, Freyr spent a bit more time in the beach room. However she couldn't stay in there alone, often electing to invite Vreta. That was on her own, she always ended up thinking about how she never got the chance to take David and Amy to a beach. In fact, every one of Freyr's waking moments not occupied by frenzied activity somehow wound back to thinking about her family. She did not sleep easily, and her dreams were plagued by Cradle monsters. She was excited to see Rothia, having read up on what to expect beforehand. But when Vreta invited her to the observation deck on arrival day, it surpassed all expectations. "Oh, wow!" She exclaimed, covering her open mouth with both hands at the sight of the famed black hole. "Look at that.." Masgard murmured beside her. "Very picturesque, Vreta'Sori! I can see why you wanted us to come all this way now." 595 grinned, patting the top of Vreta's tail where a Human's behind would've been. Freyr's team were like kids in an aquarium, pressing their noses to the glass to get as close as possible. "Such a pretty planet, too!" Freyr cooed, taking in all the colours of the rings. She took pictures via her implant and resolved to show them to David and Amy when she saw them next.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta himself simply took in the sights as well for the first few moments. He reacted briefly, nearly jumping when the Agent started patting his tail, as he was unsure of her meaning. Certainly, he doubted she intended the same meaning as he would have expected from a Rothian. Regardless, he did not dwell on her, and instead focused on the sight before them. "I was not hatched on Rothia. I am from Syr'Jakra, originally, so I can actually relate to the experience of seeing all of this for the first time. I first saw it I believe around five hundred years ago. I came here with my first, um…I believe you would consider her a 'wife' to me, in celebration of our bond. I find a black hole to be one of the most spectacular and awe-inspiring sights the universe can provide. It is an object of extremes, bending the limits of physics itself. Although…if I can be candid for a moment, I do find the meaning of your words for it in your language a little disappointing. 'Black hole' just sounds…inelegant. The closest meaning in our language for this object is a 'void star'." Vreta explained. The Barbarossa was quick to approach Rothia's orbit after dropping out of FTL, though they slowed considerably the nearer they came to the planet and the orbital dockyards. As their homeworld and center of government, Rothia had by far the most expansive set of planetary defenses of any Rothian world, if not the entire galaxy. Orbital platforms were, by and large, organized to orbit in an even hexagonal grid across the entire planet. Many served as defensive weapon platforms, some were hangers for defensive strikecraft, but all of them doubled as emitters for the largest energy shield in the known galaxy. Together, the orbital platforms could essentially form a shell around the planet to protect entirely against bombardment. At its passive strength, the shield was not visible unless attacked, but at combat power, it formed a planetary aegis that could be seen even from the ground. Naturally, sections of the shield remained disabled to allow ships to move between orbit and the surface for everyday commerce, which also necessitated that every ship follow strictly pre-determined flight paths. That was part of the reason that Vreta had intentionally invited…certain observers. Of course, to bring a warship to Rothia had to be approved by the relevant Rothian authorities. For a scientific expedition, an armed warship was not necessary, but they had approved it without resistance, regardless. It was posturing, that much was obvious, particularly once Vreta had seen that they had chosen a state-of-the-art warship to carry their emissaries. So, although Vreta had not received explicit confirmation of it, he had a feeling he knew what kind of flight path the Barbarossa would be given. In addition to their orbital emplacements, Rothia, of course, had the largest Rothian defensive fleet out of any of their worlds, and as they could easily see out the window, their flight path took them right in the shadow of a massive Rothian supercarrier: a vessel that dwarfed even the impressive size of the Barbarossa. They were ships meant to be able to carry out entire invasions on their own, even if lacking support ships. Following her example, Vreta glanced down at 595 and patted her behind once with a flick of his tail, gesturing up to the supercarrier looming over them. "The Niris'sho'Roth, flagship of the entire Rothian fleet. Even to me, it's a marvel. I would love to be able to see its new main weapon fire, though I don't think it has ever been used against an actual target. It has earned the moniker of an 'extinction cannon' for a reason."</s>	<\|message\|>Agent 595 "Very impressive. But, can it go three rounds in the ring with me?" 595 asked, raising her fists and bouncing on the balls of her feet, as if to brawl the supercarrier. She tested out six lightning fast jabs on the air that were quite hard to track with the naked eye, ducking left and right. Freyr giggled watching her and Vreta's expression. 595 was wearing a black, skin tight combat suit today instead of her usual uniform. Her yellow hair was in a tight braid down the back of her head. Freyr thought she looked quite striking. "That ship has quite an organic shape, is there a reason for that?" Masgard asked, pointing to the supercarrier. Freyr looked at it and even as someone who wasn't generally interested in warships (apart from the AIs that helped run them), was intrigued by the massive ship's unique silhouette. The Barb sailed past the supercarrier, but they didn't go too much further until a massive space structure loomed in the forward observation window. Freyr guessed it was some kind of orbital docking station, as several smaller craft were already clinging to it. They sidled up alongside the dock as Freyr carried on marvelling Rothia and it's incredible black hole. Soon after, a voice sounded over the tannoy. "This is your captain. Docking is complete and a full stop has been achieved. Welcome to Rothia, everyone." A few people cheered exuberantly as most of the crew began filing out of the observation deck. "Shall we go?" Freyr asked of everyone. "Don't want to keep people waiting."</s>
<\|description\|>Agent 595 Species: Human Gender: Female Age: UNKNOWN Nationality: UNKNOWN Weapons and/or equipment: UNKNOWN Backstory: UNKNOWN</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori "A date?" Vreta remarked, slightly tilting his head. "Hmm, no, such outings are not uncommon among Rothian friends and acquaintances." He explained. Although, her suggestion to go back to the Barbarossa did cause some notable hesitation for Vreta. "Going back to the Barb is an option, but I will say that going back to the ship would require us to go through customs again, going to the ship and coming back. We could reach a restaurant here in the city in just a few minutes. If you are opposed to visiting an establishment here on Rothia, we could just go to a meeting room down the hall and talk. I simply thought it would be a nice treat, after so long on the ship. The restaurant I had in mind is simply phenomenal; among the best on Rothia." Vreta smiled. "And I suppose I can admit some…alternative motivation in wanting to show off what my planet has to offer."</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 Freyr chuckled, running a hand through her hair. "It's okay. I'm only joking." She glanced behind Vreta again and almost betrayed an expression of complete shock at what she saw. Both Kalax the Ambassador and 595 were looking at her now. They were both facing the same way, their left side to her and their backs to the majority of the group. Kalax was subtly sticking his rear out and had an index finger stuck against his pursed lips in a 'sshhhh' motion. 595 was gyrating slowly up against him, gently patting his behind with an impish grin on her face. "I have some ladies evening wear you can borrow. I import the latest sartorial vogue from Outremer and other Human colonies." Kalax joined their private comms. "Kalax and I will chaperone you lovebirds on your date, now we're all firm friends." 595 added. WILL YOU TWO BEHAVE?! Freyr mind-shouted, before hurriedly smiling at Vreta as he began to turn to where she kept glancing, presumably catching on that she was preoccupied. "Ok, that does sound lovely! I think the meeting is well and truly over." Freyr said, feigning a good look around the room. 595 and Kalax were closest, deep in conversation, as were most of the other delegates. "Do you want to go soon? I can be dismissed and we can set off now if you like."</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori "Yes, I think I am ready to leave as soon as you are. I shall go out to the landing pad and arrange transport." Vreta replied. He gave Freyr the chance to get herself ready while he went outside to wait. Before he had even left the building, their transport was already on the way to the landing pad outside. In Rothian cities, transportation tended to be government-provided in the form of automated flying vehicles that could simply be called via the city's public network at no charge, for locals and tourists alike. The vehicles themselves were comfortable, and built to most Rothians' standards of luxury, so they were commonly used by all economic classes. As soon as Freyr rejoined Vreta, the pair of them departed for the restaurant. Technically, the establishment he had in mind was across the city, but since it was on the upper level as well, it would only take a few minutes to reach. In general, traversing the city did not take too long, but the highest travel times were often associated with traveling through the more congested passways between layers of the city. Of course, even with the short trip, Vreta did notice that the two of them were not alone in leaving early. The agent and the Human ambassador left just after them, heading in the same direction. The Human pair might have wanted to pass off the fact that they were following them as a simple coincidence, but the restaurant to which Vreta was taking Freyr was not exactly a place one would visit casually. As would be obvious once they landed, the restaurant was a particularly high-class establishment, even by Rothian standards. The name of the restaurant was Etisxa'Maan, meaning "Galaxy's Jewel". Assuming one had not already heard of it beforehand, any quick search would reveal that it was a luxury restaurant that specialized in expensive, rare, and exotic foods not only from Rothia, but all corners of the galaxy. They claimed to have in their employ at least one chef of interstellar renown from every spacefaring species in the galaxy, and most reviewers agreed that the quality of their cuisine did match their claims. The restaurant itself took up several floors at the very top of the skyscraper, so it had a viewpoint even higher than the mountains surrounding the city, and the walls were mostly windows to obstruct that view as little as possible. Similarly to their galactic cuisine, the restaurant was decorated with art, such as paintings, sculptures, and holographic designs, purchased from each of the species represented. Freyr might even have recognized some more famous Human art pieces. Despite coming from wildly different cultures, every decoration was still selected carefully to cultivate the refined atmosphere they were seeking. Generally, Etisxa'Maan was an establishment that would require reservations to even think about getting a seat, but Vreta paid a premium fee for preferred seating on a balcony overlooking the city…something that either the ambassador or Agent 595 would have to do as well if they wanted to even have a chance of being seated.</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 Freyr confirmed she was no longer needed for the day with Captain Andersen, which was customary as a passenger on an Outreman warship. She quickly made her way around the remaining delegates, saying thank you for the meeting and goodbye for now. "Did you want to stop by my place and get changed, Dr Lang?" Ambassador Verengonig asked as she walked toward the exit. "No thank you. That was really unprofessional by the way, butting into my conversation like that." Freyr directed her venom primarily at agent 595, who she was sure masterminded the whole thing. "Says the woman consorting with spies at every turn!" 595 snorted. "I am just trying to save you from a precipitous fall from grace down the line, sweetie." Freyr huffed in despair and stormed off. She was in a foul mood when she rejoined Vreta in the flyer to the restaurant. She had secretly wanted to indulge the Ambassador and dress up, but was fed up to the back teeth of being condescended by this mysterious guardian angel she'd picked up along the way. Freyr hadn't forgotten 595's words about Vreta, but the agent's polarising behaviour had inclined her to risk it, if purely for the pleasure of disobeying. "Wow." Freyr gasped upon seeing the view from the balcony on one side of the restaurant where they were seated. She temporarily forgot her annoyance as she took in the landscape behind the capital's dominant mountainscape "You certainly aren't short on views in Threria." They sat down and a Tindrel waiter clacked over on all fours to pour them a starting drink from a jug. "Is this an every day affair for you?" Freyr asked, taking a sip.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta too looked out over the horizon to admire the view before them. It was true that he had seen many, many such views in his life, but he could still found that he could clear his mind and enjoy the beauty within them. Although, in this case, he did not lose his focus for long. "Oh, no, even I only come to this place on special occasions. I think it is a fair way to celebrate a return to home after these weeks away." Vreta answered, pausing briefly to thank the insectoid waiter serving their drinks. There was a small, holographic display near each seat that could be activated to show a menu, which provided a quick answer as to why even Vreta visited only on occasion. As long as Freyr had a quick way of making the conversion for exchange rates, the prices could be best described as "extravagantly expensive." On Rothia, there was, of course, the ever-present knowledge that every word and action was recorded, even if it was not done obviously. Most cameras and other sensors were hidden well out of sight. However, aside from when the waiter was nearby, there were currently no other people within normal earshot of them. Once the waiter had moved on for the moment to give them time to order, Vreta spoke up again, this time in a bit softer of a voice. "I would normally wait a bit longer to get straight to business, but…I don't think it would be fair of me to keep you waiting on this particular topic. Like I mentioned before, it is rather personal to you. It's about your family; your husband and daughter. I know it is a sensitive topic, but I want to help. I will just give my intentions plain: I want to try to work towards a deal to start medical trials for using Rothian technology to treat people who have 'died' in the Cradle, or had their minds otherwise incapacitated."</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 Freyr choked on her drink, spluttering and patting her chest for a few seconds until she could breathe again. That was the last place she suspected this talk would go. "But...why? No Rothians have ever died in the Cradle before, you'd have nothing to gain. Not to mention the fact that it'd be incredibly expensive and potentially futile research. We've tried every possible solution and had no luck at all." Freyr felt her temperature rising. Just talking about this topic brought her back to seeing her family laying in the Cradle-Morgue, technically alive but completely unresponsive. Freyr quickly dabbed her eyes with a napkin just as two eye-catching individuals entered her field of view. Kalax and Agent 595 had obviously had time for a quick change, because they both wore long, strapless black dresses of an exquisite material. 595 sported a delicate gold pendent that plunged into her cleavage and a very stylish clutch bag while Kalax wore a shiny black dinner jacket and a small, round, red hat on his head. They exited onto the same balcony as them and crossed behind Vreta before making their way past the table. 595 noticed Freyr looked distressed and quickly knelt beside her. "What's happened, are you okay?" She shot a venomous look at Vreta. "Would you like a tissue?" Kalax asked, handing Freyr a pack. "Thank you. Yeah, i'm fine, just please go. I need a minute." Freyr responded, continuing to dab her eyes. "See what you've done?!" 595 theatrically rounded on Vreta, wielding her clutch bag. "Five-Nine-Five, please fuck off! It's me, not him." Freyr demanded shakily. 595 seemed unconvinced, but gave Vreta the 'i'm watching you' look. "We're right over there, let me know if you need me." She signed off, linking arms with Kalax to head to their table, some thirty feet away. "I'm sorry..." Freyr sniffed, finally regaining some composure. "I just really wasn't expecting to talk about this right now."</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta was unsurprised to see the agent and ambassador had followed them to the restaurant. If anything, he had expected to see them sooner, but they had evidently taken the time to dress themselves in the kind of formal clothing Humans seemed to believe was required for locations such as this. Given Freyr's state on their arrival, the agent in particular had words for him, but he did not reply, nor do much else but acknowledge them with a glance. He was here to talk to Freyr, not to let the two of them distract them and derail their conversation. Fortunately, Freyr did not seem keen on their company either, so she ended up sending them away before Vreta needed to. Vreta waited until they were alone once more to continue. "I know. That is why I wanted to get straight to it, rather than beating around the bush. I know this is not a comfortable topic for you, but I do hope to bring solutions, not problems. You are right that my people would need to see some benefit in order for my government to approve the research. But, those benefits do exist, in this case. At least from what I have been told, Cradle death can cause kinds of neurological issues that my people have not had much of a chance to study. Despite all the differences between our bodies, your brains and ours are not too dissimilar, at their core. To carry out this study allows us to learn more about the mind and improve our own medicine. Knowledge itself is a more than sufficient reward to justify the cost of the study. And even beyond that, if we are going to be working closer together to study the Cradle, there is more of a chance than ever that something could happen to a Rothian in the Cradle. I personally have nearly died twice in that damned place." The tone in which Vreta had been speaking had been somewhat emotionless while he had been simply giving a list of facts of why his people would benefit from the study. However, his tone became more sympathetic as he continued on beyond the pragmatic reasons. "For me, personally, I do want my people to gain those benefits I just mentioned, of course, but...I do want to help you. That is why the idea came to my mind in the first place. What you have been through is heartbreaking, and I see the possibility that your family might be made whole again. And even more families beyond yours, if the study is successful."</s>	<\|message\|>Agent 595 Freyr couldn't quite believe it. A sparkling avenue of hope that'd been closed from the day she'd seen her family in the Morgue, and was told of the situation, was opening up again. She felt tears welling up again, happier this time, and patted at her eyes with one of Kalax' tissues. "I, um, I don't know what to say!" Freyr exclaimed, laughing softly through her tears. "Thank you, for wanting to try at least. That means a lot to me. However, I don't have the authority to set those trials up. I'm not even sure who would. Perhaps we could ask Kalax to put out some feelers?" At that point, the loud POP of a cork made Freyr look round. It seemed the Outremer Security Council delegate had been invited to join Kalax and 595's table, having just exited onto the balcony via another door. A waiter stood by their table with an ice bucket and a recently opened bottle of champagne, pouring it into three delicate crystal glasses. Kalax and 595 howled with laughter at some joke before standing up to greet the delegate. Freyr looked back and smiled at Vreta, feeling her face with her hands to make sure all her tears were gone. "Shall we order?"</s>
<\|description\|>Agent 595 Species: Human Gender: Female Age: UNKNOWN Nationality: UNKNOWN Weapons and/or equipment: UNKNOWN Backstory: UNKNOWN</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 "How are you feeling?" Masgard asked, sitting on the side of the bed as Freyr swallowed the pill and finished the glass of water. The cocktail of painkillers, stimulants and electrolytes suppressed her crushing headache and allowed Freyr to at least open her eyes. She moved the cover from over her head. Masgard was dressed in a new suit, light grey this time. He looked annoyingly put together, all things considered. "Rough. I'll be ready in the minute. What happened last night?" Masgard chuckled, looking out of a window and scratching his nose. "Well, umm, Vreta'Sori and 595 got together." "What?!" "Shhh, they'll hear you! I just wanted to warn you in case they're still on the couch." In the open plan living space down the hall, 595 woke up to look straight in Vreta's eyes. She looked around and realised where they were. "Well, good morning." She murmured, quickly levering herself up so she could look over the back of the couch. The room was massive, but that didn't stop the sounds and smells of Kalax preparing breakfast wafting over from the kitchen island. He didn't seem to notice her, so she dropped back down. 595 quickly slid off the couch and found her underwear in a pile. While hopping into her sturdy black knickers and bra, she spooled back through her black box recordings to fill in some of the blanks. Admittedly there weren't many; she'd been filtering some of the effects so she was still somewhat able to discharge her duties. She bit her lip at the memory of hoisting that innocent in the club. Oops. Kinda invigorating though. Being the most deadly woman in any room was a key benefit of the role, she thought. 595 looked at Vreta. "Don't get any ideas, big guy."</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta sat up on the couch, briefly taking a moment to stretch out the arm 595 had been lying on all night. He watched her scrounge around and put on the clothes she found, though unlike most Human observers, her lack of clothing hardly even registered with Vreta. She could walk through Threria naked and most Rothians would scarcely notice. "I don't know what you mean." Vreta remarked, and honestly, in this case. He did not have any of the anxiety she seemed to be showing, if he was placing that emotion correctly. At the very least, she had been in a hurry to get up for some reason. "That was more of a fun night than I had been expecting, I will admit. I'm looking through the recordings now. You did end up getting in a bit of trouble. I think you might have incurred some fines at the club." He chuckled. "I think we got through the night without any major trouble, though. I don't think any of us left after we came to my apartment, so there shouldn't be any more, uh, repercussions."</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 "Really? I hardly touched the sweaty little man." 595 pouted. "I will admit this place is fun, but everyone needs to lighten up a little. I wasn't expecting that much pressure to return home after one minor incident in the line of duty. How much is the fine?" The agent asked, scratching her neck and carefully treading a path through the half-consumed drinks on the floor around the couch. "Kalax darling, do you have food and clothing for me?" The Ambassador turned around from the hob. "Kedgeree and a tracksuit, my dear. Wallace sent over a change of clothes for all of us." Kalax himself was wearing his work clothes underneath a white chef's apron. He looked very fresh and handsome in an androgynous sort of way. 595 skittered over to the Ambassador's lanky form. He held out a spoon of seasoned rice, dusted with flakes of haddock and egg. "Is this cooked to your satisfaction?" 595 maneuvered her mouth around the spoon with an exaggerated "NOM" sound. She swallowed and grinned. "Delicious. Where are the clothes?" Kalax turned and pointed to a large box on the other side of the kitchen island with his spoon. "You may want to wash first, you smell." 595 skittered round to the box and opened it. "Food first, wash later." She replied. Back in one of the guest bedrooms, Freyr was blown away by this recent discovery. She'd sat up in bed, the duvet wrapped around her, a cup of water clutched in her hand. "So how did it happen?". Masgard glanced toward the door. "I think 595 was always going to hook up with someone last night. The pool of candidates just got a lot smaller when our outing was cut short." That response left questions in Freyr's mind, but she didn't get a chance to voice them before Kalax called over comms. "Brunch is ready! Don't let it get cold." Masgard levered himself off the bed. "Fresh clothes are here. Special delivery from Wallace." Freyr was starving, so she jumped out of bed straight after Masgard exited the room, threw on the light, comfortable short-sleeve overalls, and followed him.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta glanced at 595 and shrugged. "I don't know; I don't have access to your account. The fine's amount would be auto-calculated based your income, total assets, and extenuating circumstances surrounding the event. The fact that you were not arrested might imply that your victim did something to instigate as well." Vreta too was keen to get up and walked straight to the kitchen for a glass of water. He raised up his snout and sniffed the air above the dish that Kalex had prepared to identify the ingredients within. "Fish, grains, eggs, and what is that scent…ah, my search says you call it 'butter'. Definitely a Human dish. Where did you order the ingredients from? I imagine that, by this point, you have found the best option for authentic Human cuisine, Ambassador." Soon enough, Vreta's other guests joined them in the main room. He looked back over his shoulder and nodded in greeting to them. "Good morning Freyr, Masgard. I hope my guest rooms were comfortable to your standards. It seems Kalax has taken the liberty of cooking for us. I don't know what it is, but I am happy to try your cuisine." After a moment, Vreta gave another look to 595 beside him. "My shower is down that hall if you need it. Though for myself, I usually just bask in the pool outside. It can be heated like a hot tub, and the filtration system easily handles all contaminates. I find it a relaxing start to the day."</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 "Oh, well. Seeing as i don't have an income or any assets, the fines should be pretty low. I'm just a lowly warrior-servant, after all. I'm sure Kalax can pay my way." 595 winked at Vreta just as Kalax playfully flung a rice-flecked spoon at her from across the kitchen. She plucked it out of the air without looking, put it back down on the island and pulled a stylish baggy shirt and skirt combination out of the box. "I suppose this will have to do." 595 sighed, quickly changing into the outfit. "Only the best ingredients, Vreta'Sori. I have an account with the Rothia Trading Company import office; they deliver the finest ingredients to me by drone each day." The Ambassador deftly took the steaming pan of Kedgeree off the hob and onto a heat mat on the kitchen island as Freyr and Masgard entered. "Perfect timing! Come sit." Kalax said to the new arrivals. 595 briefly acknowledged them before looking at Vreta. "Alright, message received! I'll go and have a bath the moment i finish eating." She turned to study Freyr's dishevelled appearance. "By the looks of it, you could use a nice relaxing swim too. Interested?" Freyr nodded. "After brunch. I am famished." All of the humans nodded; the Sthrirad had evidently worked up a bit of an appetite for them.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta joined the Humans at the table for their breakfast. He was silent at first while he prodded quizzically at the meal Kalax had prepared. He took in its scent again in order to take stock of its ingredients and make sure he knew everything he would be eating. There were no two spacefaring species with perfectly compatible digestive systems, but digestive implants or specially-designed enzyme supplements could bridge those gaps and allow one to handle a wider variety of foods. Vreta's enhancements were equipped to produce enzymes to aid in digesting nearly anything edible, but it still never hurt to double-check. "I can't say I've experienced something quite like that before, even in all my time. Looking it up now, I'm seeing that Sthrirad is none other than the Tindrels' rather unique symbiote. I should have recognized the name. Though, if I had, I might not have partaken." Vreta said with a shrug. "It was a fun evening, though. I do somewhat regret cutting it short for us all. I was just doing what I thought was best for our well-being."</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 "Quite exhilarating, isn't it?" Kalax responded to Vreta, carefully shuffling the kedgeree into a shallow bowl and sliding it across the island to him. He then did the same thing for 595, Freyr, Masgard and then himself. "Wallace was an Ambassador on Tind for a long time before becoming Plenipotentiary. I'm told she spent a year hosting the Sthrirad, to learn about it. Don't worry about your Touch though, the Sthrirad can usually only stay in Human bodies for about six hours at a time, and Rothians about eight. She told me." Kalax beamed. "I had a great time right here, for what it's worth." Masgard offered, tucking into his bowl of kedgeree. "I still think we could've got away with sampling a little more Rothian nightlife. Even if it was to cheer Miss Morose up." 595 pouted. "Hey! I'm not morose. I'm also still struggling to remember much. Is that a good thing?" Freyr asked.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta laughed for a moment, though he still took his time to try this "kedgeree" before continuing. "I'm not sure that I would ever classify memory loss as a 'good' thing, myself." He said to Freyr. "If for no other reason than it is nice to remember the things you enjoy. From what I remember of the club, there were a lot of drinks and dancing to be had for all of us. I distinctly remember you joining in some kind of organized dance with a group of Tindrel, which is impressive considering you have half as many legs as would be needed for that." Vreta paused briefly again to have another few spoonfulls of the mixture Kalax had put together. He had little doubt that the dish tasted fundamentally different to him than it did to them. As omnivores, they had a taste for plant-based foods, where as the grains and some of the other ingredients were much more naturally bland to him. Fortunately, he did quite like both fish and eggs, and the butter added considerable flavor for him. "If you like, I could give you my recording of the evening, Freyr. I wasn't watching you the entire time at the club, but it might jog your memory. Although, I will admit I'm not too sure what you got up to after we came here. I lost track of you once I started mating with the Agent here. Maybe the others can help remind you as well?" Vreta remarked in a distinctly casual, matter-of-fact tone.</s>	<\|message\|>Agent 595 "Oh yeah, i remember that." Freyr confessed, shoving a big spoon full of kedgeree into her mouth. "I somehow knew all the moves to make, without anyone telling me." Kalax nodded furiously. "The Sthrirad is really just a few dozen collective intelligences; I'm told it can quickly share information between hosts. Which is why we all knew what everyone was saying, even though I can see only garbled implant comms from late that evening." Kalax surmised. Everyone in that kitchen made some kind of noise and nervous movement when Vreta said the word 'mating'. Kalax laughed, spraying kedgeree in front of him. Freyr and Masgard firmly clamped their lips together in an attempt to hold back laughter. Freyr studied the ceiling in a desperate effort to avoid catching anyone else's eye. 595 groaned and placed her face in her hands. "Vreta'Sori. Please NEVER say 'mating' anywhere near me again. We, I...blew off steam. We didn't mate. What're you laughing about?" She directed the last question at the rest of the group, eyeing each of them in turn. Masgard blew air through his nose; Freyr began shuddering in her seat, unable to contain it all. "I agree, the word is uncomfortable to Human ears. But - i find it...sweet. That you guys had fun together." Kalax said very diplomatically, quickly regaining his composure.</s>
<\|description\|>Agent 595 Species: Human Gender: Female Age: UNKNOWN Nationality: UNKNOWN Weapons and/or equipment: UNKNOWN Backstory: UNKNOWN</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 Freyr walked over to Marae's side from a nearby console to study the hologram. "Interesting. It's a different shape and size to the Cradle." She grabbed her AR glasses from where they hung around her neck and put them on. "Could be the same material profile. Hard to tell without a closer look. Have we detected any signals from it?" Freyr then turned and called to a short, barrel chested man in a white lab coat on the other side of the lab. "Apalkov, any luck gaining access with the harness?" There was a short pause; the members of Freyr's team with parts to play were all deep in concentration. "I think we're getting close! I just need to make some adjustments to the chemical mix." A murmur of excitement spread through the lab - Freyr just nodded, thoroughly in the zone. "Good, once you're confident, i'll go under and see if we can interface with it." "Definitely not. You're too valuable to this mission; I can't allow you to go under. We have no fucking idea what's in there." 595 sniped, moving so she stood right in Freyr's way. "What other options do we have? I'm not prepared to risk the lives of anyone else on this ship." Freyr retorted, more quietly. "Why don't I go? Let's face it, nobody cares if I live or die." 595 murmured, a sheepish smile on her face.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori As 595 and Freyr argued, Nirann's hologram soon appeared in front of them. "Sorry, but no one is doing anything with the object until we have the containment shield fully established. Rareth-Jharn's orders. Whatever we do decide on can wait another six or so hours. Anything you want done to the object before then will have to be ran by her. Just don't ask me to ask her; she scares me. And I'm all the way in Threria right now." Marae rolled her eyes with an impatient look towards Nirann before turning her attention to the Humans. "Unfortunately, my husband is right. We will have to be patient. We can still decide what we intend to do, though. I've read through all of the information you provided on your Cradle. Connecting one's mind to this object is a dangerous prospect, for anyone. We have no idea if the simulated environment within this object is something our minds could even survive. Or if this object even creates a simulated environment at all. I do agree that this object is most likely of the same technology as your Cradle, but we do not know its purpose." Marae turned and looked for a few moments in silence across the lab at the harness the Humans had brought. Any Rothian, herself included, would have preferred to use their own technology exclusively, but she could admit that it would be more time-efficient to use the already-built, well-tested harness from Outremer. "Can we investigate the nature of the simulation without sending anyone in? Presuming it is a simulation, of course. We could, perhaps, connect an artificial mind with a simple scouting program." She suggested.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang "Yes of course, how stupid of me." Freyr muttered. She'd been finding it hard to focus since the news of Dr Hou's sudden death. He had been one of her most trusted colleagues and advisors; she didn't understand how she'd neglected to notice he was unhappy. Her nights had already been fraught before this, now they were almost unbearable. Still, there was a lot riding on this expedition; Freyr wouldn't allow it to fail on her account. "We could try an AI. However it's proved a very unproductive, unethical, dangerous method in the past. They've always gone rogue and either disappeared into the Cradle or tried to destabilise us; going after the biosphere et cetera.. All their readouts go dead immediately upon making contact. From what we can gather, the Cradle is a little too good at manipulating other machine intelligences; that's why we had to go inside to set up shop ourselves. Freyr turned to look at the hologram of the new object again. "We can test out the other communications packages our teams have collaborated on too. Like you say, there's no guarantee it shares any similarities with the Cradle. I'm just going off what I know."</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Marae flicked her hand through the air and brought up another, scaled hologram of the Cradle on Outremer next to that of the newly-discovered object. She also reviewed some of the information the Humans had elected to release to them on the Cradle's simulation. "It is still worth trying, I would say. No offense intended, but the artificial intelligence I have created are centuries beyond your own. Their creativity and complexity can be indistinguishable from a living mind, to the point that the difference between them is merely…hardware. I am not suggesting we send in a complete AI, but I should be able to craft a program advanced enough to keep to its purpose." In an instant, Nirann's hologram flicked out of existence from in front of Freyr and reappeared next to Marae, with his hand on her shoulder. "Now, I think you're overthinking this. We don't need to send in the most advanced programs. In fact, I think we might try sending something very, very simple. We can send in the most basic, barebones program we can write that can still accomplish some the minimum level of scouting. We just give it some simple, hardcoded instructions and lock them down from being modified by any source, for any reason. It won't be the most capable construct, obviously, but it could still give us a basic idea of what the simulation is like. At least enough to know if it is safe to send in a person. And if it fails, then nothing of value has been lost." With a grin, Marae leaned in and nuzzled her snout up against Nirann's with closed eyes: a show of romantic affection similar to a hug or quick kiss. Being that he was appearing as a hologram, there was nothing for Marae to physically touch, yet it still seemed quite convincing that she was. Granted, even among Humans, the technology was readily-available for sub-dermal implants that could provide haptic feedback from holograms. After the brief exchange, she turned to Freyr once more. "I think he may be right. Simplicity might be the key here. Does your Cradle provide any resistance to uploading simple programs, or will we need to pack the program in a façade of a living mind, Dr. Lang?"</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 Freyr ran a hand through her hair to help her think; it was getting quite long. "Again, this thing could be completely different from the Cradle. But… the only real 'upload' we've managed would be Human consciousness using the harnesses. Pretty much everything else requires a link to be established from inside the environment first. It's definitely worth a try though. In fact, we have the latest iteration of our Hunter Gatherer program in stock. It was showing promising results in Cradle data translation trials." "Perhaps we should run both programs at the same time and see which one does best?" 595 offered, picking at her teeth with a tiny sliver of plastic. Freyr glared at her and snipped a message over privately. "What are you doing? It's not a foot race, Agent." 595 grinned, showing off pearly white gnashers. "Just trying to keep things interesting, Doctor." Freyr turned back to the Rothians. "Please excuse my bodyguard. She means well." 595 scoffed. "So i'm just a bodyguard now?" Freyr turned back to her. "Please, be quiet. I am running things here." "That's my girl! Now; say that to the Rothians." Freyr gritted her teeth. The Agent was really starting to wind her up today.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori While Marae did little to even acknowledge the Agent's behavior, just as most Rothians would have, Nirann, surprisingly, actually engaged with the comment. He chuckled as his hologram appeared in front of 595, towering over her. "Is it a contest I sense? Are we doing bets? If so, I'll put a thousand down on my program. There's not a programmer alive that can best me. You do have the advantage of hundreds of years of study on the Cradle environment and much more familiarity with its software architecture, but…I'm confident." Marae let out a sigh and rolled her eyes. "Nir, what did I say about your gambling problem?" Nirann turned his head back and pointed a finger towards Marae. "Hey, it's not gambling if there's a guaranteed profit. I'm telling you, those returns were staying steady at 52.38%, and the margin of error was only 0.43%. That is hardly a gamble." Marae rubbed her hand over her head, sighing once more. "Please do me a favor and don't encourage him. I make that mistake...far too often, as you can see." She said as she enlarged the hologram of the new object and centered it between them all. "Let's just focus on the task at hand. Once we are permitted to interact with the object, we can see if the hardware you use to access the Cradle can also access this device. If that works, we can try to send in our scouting programs. If that does not work, then we cannot make any decision that will potentially risk lives unilaterally. I do not know what authority you have been granted by your people, Dr. Lang, but any dangerous experiments will need to be run by Rareth'Jharn first for approval."</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 The moment the holographic Rothian mentioned a bet, Freyr communicated one again with the Agent via comms. "Do not take that bet, i am warning you! I will get the captain down here." 595 shot her a wry look and stood quietly while the two aliens bickered. "You love it." Freyr ignored her, instead smiling politely and sympathetically at Marae's exasperated aside. She knew how she felt. "That sounds like a good strategy. Ultimately, the safety of the Human science team is my responsibility. I know Captain Andersen is committed to the success of the mission, but I will consult her on the use of any military personnel and materiel. And of course, top of everyone's mind is the safety of Rothia. We are guests on your beautiful planet, after all. Any eventual course of action will be conducted with extreme caution." "Don't roll your eyes." Freyr sent immediately after, without looking. "I would NEVER!" Was the response. "If it came to it, have you got a team ready to go into a simulation?" Freyr asked Marae.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori "That would also be a question for Rareth." Marae answered. "Though, I would guess that she does. I do know that the first we send in will be soldiers to scout and secure a safe place for us to work." Nirann gave a quick glance over to the hologram of the octahedral object. "If this thing is a supercomputer like the Cradle, I definitely want to go in. I've never had the chance to learn about something so strange and alien that wasn't also frustratingly primitive. Even I have to admit that your administrative capabilities on Outremer are impressive with your use of the Cradle, and you don't even understand the thing fully. And considering that I'm in charge of the administration of Threria…well, you could see how that would interest me." "If we can confirm that it is safe, then maybe." Marae said, narrowing her eyes at Nirann before returning her attention to Freyr. "We will need one of your harnesses to modify to our needs. If there is a simulation, then Rareth wants to make sure she and her people can be properly armed, and I definitely want to be able to use our equipment. We could develop one of our own, but it would be faster to work off of yours as a base."</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang "Ah yes, so we're currently working on a solution for this." Freyr replied. "The standard harnesses we use to access the Cradle are not equipped to generate non-organic matter. They just give you an ID code, which is used to provide you with authorised gear milliseconds after you spawn in. In the early days, this was simply because we didn't know enough about the technology to pre-load assets. Now, this two-step process has been baked in as a failsafe to keep track of people and stop them bringing dangerous items in. Obviously the Skinner's Guild found a way around this, as they brought a bomb." Freyr explained, momentarily thinking back to that haunting camera footage of the would-be terrorists. "That gave me the inspiration to start building a pre-load packet system. A kind of executable file which means we can specify the gear we want to bring with us before actually logging in. This does assume the object uses all the same language as the Cradle, But the notation we found in Rothian DNA is cause for cautious optimism. We can send you the process for scanning the items you want to assign to each member of your team as soon as it's ready. Some members of my team are just finishing up the design."</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Marae nodded in response to Freyr. "What you describe does sound acceptable. However, there is one, non-negotiable condition. Any device that scans our technology must remain with us, and you must not be able to access data from it. There is no way I will be able to get approval for its use otherwise. No amount of cooperation is going to make the Rothian people any less protective over our technology's designs, no doubt as you expected." Almost as soon as Marae finished speaking, Nirann chimed in as well. "And if it would upset you to lose your scanning device or your harness, I can just scan yours and fabricate a new one for us. Or, you know, just pay you back or something. Maybe in cash, maybe a…gift card to Etisxa'Maan. Whatever works."</s>	<\|message\|>Agent 595 "That's quite alright. I think you'll be able to scan what you need using existing Rothian tech in the lab. We'll just send you a template of the file for you to fill for each member." Freyr explained. "I suspect we'll be fine with the amount of harnesses we currently have in stock, but thank you anyway, Nirann. If you'll excuse me, I need to check up on my team." She smiled politely and turned away. 595 peeled off with her. "I'll liaise with the captain and muster the troops; make sure we have all the gear we need for the expedition here on the ship." The agent updated. "Good idea, buzz me if you have questions." Freyr replied, cold as ice. 595 gave her a quizzical look, before they separated to go to their separate consoles.</s>
<\|description\|>Agent 595 Species: Human Gender: Female Age: UNKNOWN Nationality: UNKNOWN Weapons and/or equipment: UNKNOWN Backstory: UNKNOWN</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Marae followed Freyr to Dr. Diamini's side, though her mind was focused on the problem at hand. Nirann had some unique circumstances to contend with, but it was still possible that they might be able to send him in. Diamini was slow to awaken, as it did seem that she had to take some time to recover and get her bearings, so Marae did have a chance to reply. "Nirann can't move here himself. His AI core is locked pretty firmly in place." Nirann's hologram appeared on the other side of the harness. "Do I really need to be there in person, though? Maybe I can puppet an artificial mind, like one we uploaded? Just one more…directly connected to me." --- Seeing that the transit station was up and working was encouraging to Rareth, though that did not take her focus from the crowd of villagers spreading out at the bottom of the ridge beneath them. "We have the transit station working. It shouldn't be long before our experts join us. Still…I should acknowledge them. At least give them some indication of our intent." Rareth moved over to the edge of the ridge, though unlike Athena, she stood clearly silhouetted at the top. She had retracted her helmet so that her head and face were clearly visible and identifiably Rothian.She hoped that their eyesight was strong enough to see her at their current distance, as she wanted to show them she was something familiar, even if she was a giant of a Rothian. She placed her fusion cannon on its magnetic holster on her back, held out her hands open-palmed for a moment, then bowed her head and crossed her arms tightly over her chest. Among Rothians, it was a distinctly non-threatening position, as it was not a position from which one could use their claws quickly. Even if these villagers were not truly Rothian, she hoped they would still recognize the more instinctual Rothian body language.</s> <\|message\|>Dr Freyr Lang "Senty Dlamini, can you hear me?" Freyr asked loudly, opening the girl's eyelids. Her pupils were almost completely dilated. "Can I have a medic in here now please!" Freyr shouted. Dr Dlamini moaned suddenly, struggling within the harness. Freyr quickly worked to unplug the junior researcher from the device, and helped her sit up. "Senty, do you know where you are?" The girl didn't acknowledge her, instead abruptly slumping to one side. Freyr managed to catch her before she hit her head on the floor, awkwardly holding her up. "Medic!" Freyr yelled. One of the Barbarossa's doctors sprinted over with a satchel in hand. Together they maneuvered Dr Dlamini back onto the harness table. "You're alright." Freyr soothed. "I'm not sure that's a good idea." She shook her head once the medic had taken over. "These objects are much more adept at controlling artificial systems than organic ones. We don't want to give it open-ended access to your mind, especially at this early stage. We could lose you in there. In fact, I have half a mind to scrub this mission altogether until we can adjust our equipment. Although we'll need to run diagnostics on my colleague first before we can even consider pulling everyone out." --- "That's done it. They're coming up here now." Athena confirmed. Her feed showed a few of the shapes had broken ranks and were making their way up the slope toward the ridge. "Looks like they may be heading for level ground before approaching us." More of the group were following behind the first figures, while some stayed behind at the village limits. "I count...maybe one hundred?" Athena offered helpfully. The sound of an alien chattering registered on the group's sensory net for the first time as they drew closer. "Sacred band, shield wall. Keep your weapons down." Thebes ordered, before pointing at Dr Wetherall and Dr Ngata, who were desperately trying to fix the comms mast. "You two, go in the transit station shield and stay there. Be ready to jump out on my signal." The Sacred Band jogged over and formed a loose line between the array of equipment and the approaching mass of heat shapes. That included Athena, who detached the scope from her rifle to continue tracking the life forms. 595 shrewdly arranged herself behind the shield wall.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Nirann shrugged his shoulders as he eyed one of the harnesses. "I mean, that may be true for your AIs, but I think I'm a cut or two…hundred above them." Marae once again rolled her eyes, but picked up in a more serious tone. "My husband does have a point. I mentioned that our AIs could be indistinguishable from a Rothian mind, and that is Nirann, quite literally. I designed his series of AI to perfectly replicate the neural network of a Rothian brain. If you were to scan his neural pathways, you would not be able to tell them apart from a natural mind." "The way she build up service layers outside my core mind to expand my capabilities was a real stroke of genius, but…I can't get into that. The point is, I think my mind should work with the harness." Nirann remarked. "It's not like the simulation is interacting directly with the brain. Your brain interacts with the harness, which interacts with the simulation. There's a layer in between the object and your squishy, fleshy bits. The simulation should see my mind just the same as any Rothian." While she did agree with NIrann on the point he was making, she spoke more softly, and less optimistically when she interjected again. "I'm more concerned about the safety of anyone entering at all. Is she alright? I am going to assume that is not normal for exiting your Cradle." She said, pointing to Dr. Diamini. --- "Just stay back near the transit station and watch the other approaches. I'll meet with them and try to see if we can communicate at all." Rareth instructed to the Humans. The numbers that these villagers had might have seemed daunting, but at the same time, they were riding animal mounts and did not show signs of technology even close to that of modern Rothians. Or even Humans, for that matter. Though, in any case, she did not intend to let down her guard. Surprises could come from anyone. Rareth stepped forward partially down the hill, presenting herself as the envoy for their group to meet them halfway. She supposed such customs might not have been entirely universal among early Rothian groups, but these villagers might still do the same. She kept herself in a non-threatening posture and spoke out to them once they were close enough to hear. "Greetings, my name is Rareth'Jharn. I come to you peacefully." She said aloud. She did not actually expect any of them to be able to understand a word she said, but she figured she might as well try.</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 Freyr sighed. "Alright! Lets try it. Just be sure to isolate the fragment you send in. We can check for signs of corruption when it's downloaded back from the simulation. With any luck, you'll be able to circumvent some of the issues us organics are having on exit." She looked worriedly down at Dr Dlamini, who was being scanned for brain function and given fluids by the medic. "No, it's not normal. Nirann if you're set on going in, i will stay here and to work the problem from this end. Look for deviations in notation that could be causing these malfunctions. Until we can figure this out, no one else comes back out. I'll send in my systems engineer to help you, but holistic research will have to wait for now. --- The aliens stopped in their tracks when Rareth began approaching; Some of them even retreated slightly. When she spoke, they all fell silent as one before looking curiously at her and among themselves. And then, they began chattering again, conspiratorially pointing and shaking the objects they held in their hands. Some of the creatures near the front pushed and jostled each other in some kind of heated debate before three of them edged forward. These envoys began talking at her in their own tongue, slowly and carefully. They were all studying Rareth in great detail, moving forward sideways on, so they could dash away at a moment's notice. The lead creature beckoned at Rareth specifically, and then at the armoured figures behind her. "Lots of potential weapons." Knossos grunted over comms. "Hold position, eyes on a swivel." Thebes ordered. Ignoring half of that directive, 595 peeled off and walked slightly back toward the transit station, checking all around them for anyone sneaking up on their position. Everything seemed clear, for now." She gave a thumbs up to the two scientists watching from inside the shield bubble.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori While Nirann seemed willing to try his hand at entering the simulation, Marae did not seem nearly so enthused at the idea. She reached out and grabbed at Nirann's wrist. Her hand passed partially through his, but he did still seem to be able to "feel" the touch. "Now hold on. You know I don't approve when you do this." Turning to face her, Nirann gently took both of her hands in his and stepped in closer to her. "I know, my dear. We've had this discussion-" "-argument…" Marae snapped. "Argument…many times before. I know you made my mind to be as Rothian as it possibly could be, but you also gave me far more capabilities beyond that, even ones you didn't intend. Nothing dies when I reunite with a fragment. We just…become one." He said softly. Marae's eyes narrowed. "That is very debatable, Nir. And what if a copy of you dies every time you do this? I can't handle the thought of that." Nirann was silent for a moment as he leaned in closer to her. He lifted a hand up to her cheek and encouraged her to lower her head, then pressed his forehead against hers. "You know I would never do anything that I believed would hurt you. I'm only doing this because I genuinely believe it." A slight smile crept across Marae's expression. "I never said you didn't believe it…I just think you're the smartest idiot I've ever met." Nirann laughed along with her. "I know, but I have a plan." He said, finally pulling away from Marae and giving a quick look over to Freyr. "Here's what we'll do. Right about now, I'm having one of the ship's security droids cart in the strongest Rothian computer I can get a hold of on the ship. Now, it's no Core, but a Rothian computer still has far more processing power than the average organic brain. I'll download a copy of my central neural network onto the computer. You can have your technician stay here in the real world; until we get that transit station set up, it's just not safe to send any of you organic people in. Just download all of the schematics, technical manuals, any data you can think of even tangentially related to the transit stations into that computer. I'll organize it all into an abstract service layer; think of it as a…brain outside my brain, but still in my head. It allows my to gain access to functions a normal Rothian mind would not have, without making any changes to my core mind. Long story short, if you give me all the information you have on the transit station, and anything that might possibly be affecting it, I should be able to fix it myself. Before I go in, I'll perform a detailed scan of the copy's mind. The only changes that should occur are in the mind's memory center, so when my copy does come back, we'll separate out and quarantine the memories, then I'll meld back with my copy only if the rest of the neural network is identical to when we sent it in." Nirann glanced back and forth between Freyr and Marae. "Does that make everyone happy?" --- Rareth's eyes glanced around at the villagers surrounding her. As expected, her translator could not identify any of the words being spoken around her, which likely meant they could not understand her either. She went ahead and had her neural implant start examining their words and try to begin the translation process, though that was not a task that could be done in a short time. For the moment, she spoke back to the Humans watching over her. "Plenty of weapons, yes, but they are crossbows, spears, and farming tools. They're primitives. If I harden my shields, they wouldn't be able to scratch them, much less my armor. If I am attacked, I will just return back to the transit station, and we can leave without bloodshed." Seeing as none of the villagers had tried anything violent so far, Rareth opted to try and start establishing some degree of a rapport with them. The first, and simplest step towards that was exchanging names. Even without speaking the same language, that was something she felt they could accomplish. She kept in a passive position and did not make any sudden moves, but looking specifically at one of the envoys, she pointed to herself and said "Rareth'Jharn." She repeated the same words, and the same motion several times to try and get the point across.</s>	<\|message\|>Agent 595 Despite her concern, Freyr was actually very interested in seeing how this gambit panned out. Rothian AI technology was obviously very advanced, and she was the first to admit there was a learning opportunity here. "It doesn't make me happy...but your plan could work. And it's the best we have so far." Freyr admitted. "Strap in. I'll get you the schematics." --- The envoys tilted their heads and listened to what Rareth was saying. They chatted together, and then tried to replicate the words she kept repeating. "RAHJAH". The slightly more cautious villagers soon followed suit, until the entire group were chanting the two syllables. Some of the envoys crept closer, arms stretched out as if to touch Rareth's armour. "Sorry to interrupt, but we have an insert queued from base. One Nirann, it seems. Want me to bring them in?" 595, who was acting as the floating resource within the fighting group, came over. She figured Rareth was slightly indisposed. "I'm surprised they haven't sent more. That could mean they're having issues too. I think we have things under control here, bring them through."</s>
<\|description\|>Agent 595 Species: Human Gender: Female Age: UNKNOWN Nationality: UNKNOWN Weapons and/or equipment: UNKNOWN Backstory: UNKNOWN</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Despite the discussion and debate among the others, Rareth had made her determination pretty much right away. She did not hesitate to speak up right after Thebes. "We cannot know for sure where that cavern leads, or if there even are any other exits that a person can fit through. But more importantly, it is too dangerous. We have already seen that life in this place can be titanic; easily capable of collapsing a cave right on top of us." Rareth moved over to the edge of the ridge and looked down into the valley. The visibility down into the valley was not exceptional, but it was still much easier to see the path ahead than it would be in a cave. "If we encounter difficult terrain, I can move ahead of the group and try to quickly scout our best path forward." Nirann sighed, followed by a chuckle. "At this point, I'm wishing we could have just rode there on the back of that worm."</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 "There may be something even worse down in that valley! And besides, even without Carthage's armaments, we have enough munitions between us to blast through any tight spaces." 595 countered, exasperated. She glared out across the valley; patches of water glimmered in the very faint light. "Look at it, the whole valley is sodden. If we go down there, it'll take hours to go the long way around this mountain. At that rate, we'll need to make a camp out in the middle of nowhere. Is that really what we want?" 595 surveyed the waiting group. She knew that if ordered to, the Sacred Band would follow her into the jaws of hell. Most were surveying the area through their weapon scopes to avoid looking at her. Athena was even laying on the floor with her sniper rifle fully deployed to scout the valley. It was the Rothians and Human scientists she needed to convince. "If we set up camp, Nirann and I could try to fully reconcile the code base and bring in reinforcements, so to speak?" Dr Wetherall offered nervously." 595 snapped right back. "True. But who knows what kind of attention that'll attract? We could be spawning them right into a trap." "Our mission is to bring everyone back alive, ma'am. Our close quarters element is without a suit. The Sacred Band are conditioned for long nights; we can keep watch. If we can get this transit station online, there is always the option of pulling out too." Thebes advised, assuming a non-threatening stance. 595 breathed in deeply, trying to control the onslaught of borrowed feelings. It wasn't hard to feel like the group was ganging up on her.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori "Regardless of the ordinance we have available, there are no guarantees it would be faster. And we may accidentally collapse it ourselves with the explosives. If the cave does not end up bringing us close enough to the other side, it may be slower to blast through it than to just go around. With the information we have, staying outside is our best choice." Rareth reasoned. This time, it was actually Nirann that spoke up with an objection. "Well…we could go about it in a way that would make sure we don't collapse it ourselves, at least. I know the echolocation hardware you Datius have is top-notch. If you're pinging the surroundings while we're going through, not only could you map out the cave system, but I could analyze that data to get a pretty good picture of the structural integrity of any part of the cave. That is something we could work with." Surprisingly, there was something of a long delay from Rareth as she weighed the pros and cons of each option. One path would certainly be safter than the other, but they were in a hurry. If it was just herself and the other soldiers, the choice would be clear, but they had the civilians and their equipment to worry about, and all of it was essential. "I can scout ahead myself." Rareth finally continued. "I can move far more quickly alone than we can together. I can go into the caves and seek out an exit on the other side, mapping the cave system as I go. Based on the size of this mountain, it should not take me long to get through, unless the caves are particularly difficult to traverse. And if that is the case, we certainly should not use them. Whether I find a path or not, I can be back within an hour. You can use that time to rest, recover, and continue your work."</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 "Good plan! I'll go with you." 595 asserted firmly, looking between Nirann and Rareth. "You might need some backup, if you're right and some hideous creature lives in there." She quickly turned to point at Thebes, who was still attending her. "Have one of the Sacred Band scout the mountain path down into the valley; no longer than an hour though. We may need to move fast if we find something inside this cave." Thebes nodded, before turning himself to elect someone to go.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Rareth turned and looked down at the agent skeptically. "Do you have comparable capabilities to these soldiers? I would be fastest alone. One of your Sacred Band may not slow me down too much, but you…you lack their augmentations, do you not? Unless there is something you are hiding about yourself, I would be delayed too much by taking you with me." Though her words might have been harsh, Rareth was intending to make use of her full capabilities. She would not be holding back as she had been to allow the others to keep pace, so any help would need to be able to keep up with her.</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 595 grimaced behind her visor; she'd need to be very careful about giving away too much on this expedition. The Rothians were doubtless building a profile on her, as she was with them - the less detail they had the better. 595 had already used up a lot of political capital at the Institute after that stunt in Boycott Park. If they learned she'd given up state secrets to the Rothians as well, she was as good as finished. A large part of her wanted to take this opportunity to concede and let one of the Sacred Band go instead. But her pride and urge to feed just about stopped her. "We may have different toys, but i can hold my own." 595 replied to Rareth. She then looked at the Human scientists and Nirann. "See if you can get the mast working at the very least. We could really use intel from our teams in the real world. Keep an eye out and stay on comms, we'll be back within an hour." She turned back to Rareth. "Lead the way, I'll bring up the rear."</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Rareth approached the Agent, looking down onto her with a stern expression. "I intend to finish this quickly, and I will not wait on you. I trust that you will be able to map the cave system as we move through? If you fall behind, return to the camp and wait for me. Otherwise, follow my path and keep watch for any dangers." With that, Rareth waited no longer. The rest of the Human soldiers were setting up their camp's defenses, while the scientists were finally able to rest their feet. Even if nothing else was accomplished here, this break would help the civilians to keep up their pace once they started to move again. Rareth followed along the edge of the river, into the entrance to the cavern, and just as she promised, she was moving quickly. In such tight quarters, it was not as if she could move as fast as her body was capable, but she had still not been lying about the fact that her pace would be difficult to keep. They did not have to go too deep for the ambient light from the outside to fade. She could illuminate their path with lights built into her suit, though even in complete darkness, she would have had no trouble navigating. Her echolocation implant was even more effective within the cavern than it was outdoors. The pulses of sound traveled far down the cave ahead, tracing out all the potential paths ahead long before she could see them. She could decide ahead of time which way she wanted to go, without stopping or slowing her pace at any point.</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 "Not as readily as you. But i can follow your IFF just fine." 595 lied, unholstering her pistol and holding it in her right hand, finger off the trigger. She set off at a sprint after Rareth, taking a dose of stimulant immediately via her suit. It infused her with so much energy that it'd be harder to stop running than carrying on. Her vision adjusted to the complete blackness almost immediately, before partially refocusing when Rareth activated her suit lights. 595 peeled back her visor and sniffed the air; the cavern smelled damp, with hints of vegetation and other organic matter. The river flowed through the middle of the cavern, while rocks protruded into the narrow path on either side. 595 vaulted over a few formations in quick succession, using her free hand as the lynchpin to acrobatically clear obstacles without losing speed. She kept a close eye on Rareth's back and tail, wiggling in front of her, while also surveying the area with her equipment and senses. "So... that was a pretty impressive maneuver you pulled in the lake with that creature. Are all Datius units equipped like that?" 595 sent in a private comms channel with Rareth.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Rareth was mostly ignoring her eyes, instead focusing on the map she was creating as they went of the path ahead of them. They had not yet come to any divergence in the path, but if they did, she might slow down somewhat to give her sensors a chance to map them as well; at least as far down them as the echoes would be discernible. "A Datius is as equipped as they need to be for their task, but it is not our technology that makes us." Rareth replied. "A Datius is the…apex, excepting only for the Rahn'Saki. Not all of us are soldiers, but we are all the most capable in what we do. I will merely say this: there is a reason the Rothian special forces team assigned to this mission consists solely of myself."</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 595 smiled, ducking under a stalactite and swerving round a stalagmite in quick succession. So there was a common ground between the two of them after all. "Neat. Is there a Datius for every field, then?" Suddenly, the agent's sensory net detected a fork in the path ahead, going up and off to the right. Imagining it from the outside, 595 guessed it headed toward the next mountain along in the chain. Their current path continued going straight forward. As they approached the convergence, 595 slowed her sprint down to a jog, before stopping altogether in the centre of the fork. She could see now that the stream came from the sharper incline on the right, cascading down both of the other paths. "If straight-on is going downwards now, I think we have less chance of being deposited on the top of a mountain heading that way." 595 surmised. After a few moments, an alien chittering echoed through the cavern, marginally louder than the tinkling of water. Finally! 595 drew her pistol and checked her sensory net again. Another ping revealed moving objects on the right path. "Did you hear that? I think it came from this way. We'll need to check that out; can't have any critters cutting us off." she sent, eagerly moving toward the opening.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori "Hold right there." Rareth ordered as soon as the Agent started to move off along the side passage. "If you are going to help me, you must move behind me, not ahead. It is necessary for us to scout these caves for danger, but we are not here to exterminate every pest that might live here. Follow behind me, and we will see what is living here, but do not simply shoot on sight. If these are simple animals, they may simply flee when they see us. If they attack, I will kill them." Regardless of what 595 might have thought about Rareth taking the lead, it was not as if there would be much hope of overtaking her once she did get moving. There was no feasible way of moving their entire group through the caves stealthily, with all of their equipment, when the tight passages would carry the echoes of every single footstep far and wide. Since they would not have the option of stealth later, Rareth made no attempt to hide now. If something was going to attack, she wanted it to attack her, without the civilians present. Ideally, whatever creatures they encountered would either flee on sight, or they would be able to scare them off. If not, she would need to assess how much of a threat they posed.</s>	<\|message\|>Agent 595 "Hey, you don't automatically get to take point like that!" 595 called out loud as Rareth ran past her, before giving chase. "Everything alright in there?" Thebes crackled feebly over comms. "Yeah, all good. We're checking out some noises." 595 quickly replied before Rareth got a chance to. "Want some assistance?" He asked. "No, we're fine for now. Maintain your perimeter." She snapped. They moved quickly uphill through a gradually tightening passageway. Before long, 595's sensory net described a series of large circular hollows off of the main path. The chittering grew louder and louder, and the smell emulsified into a pungent, wet, rotting tsunami that forced the agent to close her visor again. The moving objects were close now, all around really, and moving in random patterns. Until they weren't. Almost simultaneously, most of the motion blips stopped. So did the incessant chittering. 595 instinctively slowed her pace just behind and to one side of Rareth, and moved her pistol into centre axis relock. They took a few steps forward. The agent wet her dry throat. Her suit pinged movement on the ceiling of the cavern, 595 marked it. It looked like a flat insect head with some pincers. It peeked from an opening that may have connected this area to one of the spherical hollows. The creature carefully lowered it's armoured body and many legs down onto the ground, before shuffling toward them, staying low to the rock. A couple more of them appeared from opening in the sides of the space behind it. The chittering and movement started again, deafening and on all sides. Each of the creature's tails lit up, casting long shadows in the confined space.</s>
<\|description\|>Agent 595 Species: Human Gender: Female Age: UNKNOWN Nationality: UNKNOWN Weapons and/or equipment: UNKNOWN Backstory: UNKNOWN</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Rareth dropped the last of the insects to the ground with a hole clean through the center of its head. The kinetic impact of a particle cannon was more immediately effective than the more diffuse cloud of plasma. Though, she supposed more concentrated heat sources would still burn through the stone shell quickly. In any case, she kept her particle cannon deployed as she turned her attention to scanning her surroundings. Whatever happened to the Agent, Rareth needed to act quickly. She still hoped to find her somewhere, even if that seemed unlikely. She had disappeared in a sudden, impossible manner, and Rareth's sensor recordings were not giving any hints she could identify at the moment. There was noise from farther down the cave, in the direction the pair had been heading before the ambush. Despite all that Rareth now had to be concerned about, she still had to make herself focus. Whether she found 595 or not, she would still need to scout the route through the mountain. The noises Rareth heard were a kind of chittering that sounded like it originated from the insects. She would have preferred not to have to interact with them further, but the path through the mountain required it, Rareth would have to deal with them. It was not a far walk to reach the next chamber, and there was a lot for her to take in when she arrived. It was a fairly tall, wide chamber with more than a few smaller, paler version of the same insects that had ambushed her, along with a few larger creatures in-sight. Interestingly, there were also many unnatural-looking stone structures embedded into the walls and floor. They appeared as small, elongated domes made of rock, and were certainly not normal features in caves. However, what drew her primary focus was the Human shape she spotted laying at the center of the chamber. Rareth naturally recognized her right away, but of course, there was no explanation for how she got here and why she looked to be asleep, or otherwise unconscious. The Agent started to stir as Rareth walked forward. She intended to bring the Human back to their camp to recover regardless of what objections she tried to raise. This was all terribly unusual, and Rareth did not like any part of it. She had seemingly disappeared from reality in a blinding flash of light, only to suddenly be found again a short distance away, unconscious and without her IFF tag transmitting. Rareth felt she had plenty of reason to doubt, but for now, she would just deal with the problems in front of her. She was not directly hostile towards the creatures, but if either herself or 595 were threatened, she would fight as many as was necessary to leave.</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 595 propped herself up with one arm as her suit powered back on. She looked woozily around her as items appeared back in her HUD one by one. This must have been where they birthed new centipede things. There were different sizes of creatures here, from tiny handfuls to adults about half the size of the monsters that'd attacked them. They all kept their distance, writhing over one another as far from her prone form as they could. It didn't seem like they had any fight left in them. The Agent got clumsily to her feet as Rareth came and towered over her. "What happened? Did you get them?" She brushed past the Datius, back out into passage and over to where the centipede corpses lay dead. She picked up her pistol from the ground and inspected it for damage, before clocking the heap of black ash on the floor. She recognised what it was immediately, but didn't remember creating it, which was unusual. She noted that her urges were sated, at least right now. She must have been knocked out right after feeding. 595 turned to the Datius, who had followed her out. She wondered what the Rothian had seen. "Well? Did you see what happened?"</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Rareth kept aware of the movements around her, but she was happy to keep her distance from the insects as well. As long as they allowed herself and the Agent to pass, they would not come to harm. As for the Agent herself, Rareth did not have enough information to so much as guess at what had transpired. She archived everything her sensors had recorded about the event, but she was not certain how much they would learn from it. On approach, Rareth looked over 595 closely for any signs of injury. Her suit did not seem to be damaged, though if there were any internal injuries, they would require a more detailed examination to detect. "Whatever happened occurred quickly. And whatever happened was nothing possible in our reality. Something killed the insect you were fighting by disintegrating it into dust, then you disappeared in a flash of light and reappeared here. We are not far from where we were, but still, you did not move here yourself. We need to move quickly; I want us to leave this simulation as soon as we can. It does not necessarily have to conform to the rules of our reality, clearly. Let us go back to the camp. The team's medic can examine you, while I finish scouting these caves."</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 595 regarded Rareth silently for a moment, her expression grim. "No need." She replied finally. "I'm perfectly healthy. We'll scout the place together." She looked around at the various openings to hollows nearby. None of the centipedes had followed them back out. "I think we've neutralised the threats here. Let's return to the fork and investigate the main path." 595 turned to leave just as a wave of dizziness crashed into her like a speeding bullet. She stumbled through the pile of ash and put a hand on one of the cavern walls to support her. Nausea punched the Agent in the stomach, doubling her over. She peeled back her visor and ejected a small amount of bile onto the floor. Keeping her back to the Datius, 595 straightened up slightly and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. She tasted metal. Putting her visor back in place, she reversed the field to get a view of herself. Blood dripped slowly from one of her nostrils, which she'd now smeared across her face. She was feeling a bit better after being sick though, so she straightened up and turned back to Rareth. "I'm fine, really! Just felt a bit nauseous is all." She insisted. "Agent, Datius - come in." Thebes crackled over comms. 595 jumped on it, surveying their surroundings. "Yes?" "Ma'am. We've made contact with the outside." Thebes crackled over comms. "They want to speak with both of you." 595 looked back at Rareth. "Can you patch them through to our suits?" There was a short delay, presumably so Thebes could ask. "Negative. They need to work on all our suits." 595 huffed. "Ok, we'll be there shortly. How is the transit station?" "They're still tinkering with it, ma'am." 595 kissed her teeth. "Copy that. Maintain your position." She signed off, thinking of how best to proceed. "Do you want to scout the other path, while I make my way back? I'll deal with whoever wants to talk to me before you get back, freeing up the line."</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori The Agent would not have been able to see it under Rareth's helmet, but she was giving 595 a rather judgmental glare as she looked down upon her. She glanced back towards the entrance to the chamber for a moment and reviewed the map of the cave network she had made thusfar. "As I said, I will continue scouting and find a way through the mountain. Thebes is perfectly qualified to talk with the others. You need to return to the camp and allow the medic to see you. You are not healthy, and don't insult my intelligent by trying to pretend that you are. Anything could have happened to you when you were transported to this room." Rareth paused for just a moment in thought. "Do you remember anything of what happened to you? If so, you need to make sure it is recorded in a report. Anything could be important. But do it back at camp; we should move in case these insects decide to stop tolerating us."</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 595 knew Thebes was qualified to handle reporting back. But she suspected someone in the real world had a very specific set of questions for her alone. That was the only reason she could think of for them to request her on comms. "Alright, fine! I'll get myself checked out." She sighed, setting off back down the path they'd come when Rareth asked if she remembered anything. "Not really. I remember getting on one's back and piercing under the plate at the back of its head. The next thing I remember is waking up in that hollow." She answered as they walked back to the fork together. "Good luck. I'll see you back at camp soon." 595 said her farewell to Rareth before following the stream back out of the cave system the same way they'd come. She didn't sprint as before, but jogged and thought about what had happened. After a little while, 595 emerged from the pitch-black cavern onto the ridge overlooking the swampy valley. She could see her team's silhouettes and IFF tags dotted around comms mast and half-constructed transit station. Saddam greeted her with a thumbs up that she returned. "Welcome back." Thebes held up an interface cable attached to the comms mast as the Agent jogged over. "Private line to the Captain." 595 took the lead from the soldier. "Thank you." She looked over at Knossos, the medic. "Can you check my vitals please?" The olive-colored operator wordlessly gave up their position on the perimeter to jog over. The Agent plugged the interface cable into her left arm just next to her wrist interface. Knossos plugged another cord into her suit's diagnostics port at the back soon after. 595 accepted the call, standing still to let Knossos do his job. "Go." She answered. After a short pause, the reply crackled through. "I'm glad you're still alive, Agent. I won't keep you long as Dr Lang wants to keep things moving." Andersen spoke quickly. "Your...colleagues on Outremer have asked if what you've found changes their plans at all?" 595 smirked; she'd guessed correctly. "You can tell them to proceed as planned. I will have more information tomorrow."</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Once the pair separated at the fork, Rareth picked up her pace heading deeper into the cave. In truth, she was not completely certain about the idea of even separating from the Agent for the short time it would take her to get back to camp, as it did feel like a risk not to supervise her. However, enough time had been wasted already, and Rareth needed to find if there was a way through the caves quickly. Granted, now that they had made contact with the outside, they would not be in quite as much of a rush. They would not longer be in danger of being pulled out of the simulation early as those on the outside became more concerned. On her own, Rareth could move more quickly through the network of caves, though perhaps not by too much. The Agent had kept up adequately, but Rareth truly had no reason to hold back once she only had herself to worry about. She mapped the cave as she went along and, for the most part, was able to choose the correct path ahead of time thanks to her echolocating ability. Her best option was to follow the stream as much as possible. If it had carved out the cave, then it would be the most likely path out to the other side. Rareth only slowed down when she encountered more of the stone-shelled insects. Although, this time, the encounter did not turn to violence. It occurred in a large enough chamber that she was able to skirt around the side near the wall to keep distance, while the insects seemed intent on doing the same. They were carrying back something with them, perhaps some prey, but while they did hiss and posture upon spotting her, they did not rush her like last time. Rareth was not sure what exactly caused the difference in response, but it was not her concern to figure out the particulars of the creatures' behavior. All she needed to do was to make sure they could get past them unharmed. Eventually, Rareth did find the light at the end of the tunnel. Literally, in this case. The stream flowed out of the far side of the mountain into another waterfall overlooking an expansive valley. The beacon in the distance still illuminated the area and provided some clue of how much farther they needed to go. She did expect that there could be some difficulty climbing down this side of the mountain, but it was not an unreasonable path, and it would still be much quicker than trying to go around. She saw evidence of nests nearby on the cliffs, but hopefully whatever created them would not prove to be a hindrance. In any case, Rareth did not linger long. Once she confirmed the path through the mountain, she turned back right away to return straight to camp and make her report.</s>	<\|message\|>Agent 595 "Understood. What is your risk assessment of this place? Knowing what you know." Andersen asked. 595 licked blood from her lips. "It's pretty risky. But we need more experts here to figure out what's going on. They'll be solidly protected; this 'Datius' is formidable and surprisingly altruistic." A wave of what could only be described as static washed over the line, followed by a short tone. 595 lost the Captain for a few seconds. "-to Doctor Wetherall." "Copy that." 595 guessed, unplugging the interface cable from her wrist. "Hey doc!" She called over regular short-range comms, standing still as she was well aware Knossos was connected to her. Dr Wetherall looked around at her from a jumble of wires protruding from the side of the transit station. "Bring it over here, please." He replied distractedly, lost in thought. "Oh for fuck's sake. Thebes, would you mind?" 595 asked, wiggling the loose cable in her hand. The team leader plucked it from her and carefully wound the cable over to the huddle of scientists and droids. 595 turned slightly so she could watch Knossos tap away at a holopad. "Well? Everything ok?" She asked privately after a little while." The soldier's tinted green visor looked down at her. "What are you, lady?" 595's jaw tightened. "Am I combat effective, yes or no?" Knossos checked the readout one more time, then nodded slowly. "You need fluids, but otherwise you're good to go." "Good. Delete that and pass me some tissues with my fluids. I got a nose bleed."</s>
<\|description\|>Agent 595 Species: Human Gender: Female Age: UNKNOWN Nationality: UNKNOWN Weapons and/or equipment: UNKNOWN Backstory: UNKNOWN</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 "What?" Saddam spluttered as the team received those coordinates. "Have you lost your damn mind?" Thebes wasn't so sure. He was mindful of the advanced tech the Datius had showcased throughout this expedition. She had proved a very resourceful asset in a variety of combat scenarios, but it still took the Sacred Band leader a half-second to commit to a strategy which seemed so crazy. "CoWiUnCo." Thebes barked when Rareth fired some kind of bright light, awkwardly hefting his gun above the claws grasping his chest and aiming at the point set in front of them. The four syllable shorthand wasn't strictly speaking accepted terminology, but he knew all of the soldiers under his command would understand it as "Comply With Unorthodox Commands". The team reacted immediately, as did 595 who had regained some conscious control and was vaguely following the plan. Energy bursts, a tungsten bolt and one solid laser beam disappeared into the hole created by the bright flash, and they carried on firing until it shut again. The fliers bucked and rolled, thoroughly spooked by all the action, but still on course. There was no immediate sound from the predator above them, until it's carcass crashed into one of the cargo bots trailing their convoy at a couple of hundred miles per hour. The package of robot and dead flesh thundered down to the plains below, and exploded in a huge fireball.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori From what she could see through the linked cameras, Rareth's plan had worked perfectly. Their shots passed through the wormhole and cut straight through the creature above them. Regardless of its size, it was not as if it was armored to deal with high-powered weaponry. However, they were not fortunate enough for it to simply die alone in silence. It was only moments after its death that it came crashing down below, and took one of their cargo droids with it. "Nirann, report! What did we lose?" Rareth asked right away. Nirann hummed a moment and spoke in a tone as if he was grimacing along with it. "That was bot two, so…that was the transit station. Do I have permission to panic yet, or…" "Permission denied." Rareth retorted immediately. "As long as we have the comms mast, we can get another transit station. Just focus on here and now. Any other contacts? More threats?" Nirann again checked the cameras of the cargo bots, along with his own body's sensors. There were more living things in view, especially below, but nothing that seemed like it had an interest in them. "Uh, nothing that I can see. Yet." Rareth wasted no time, and made sure to keep the Nirann on-track. "Then keep working. When we do get a new transit station, you will need to make sure we can return through it."</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 "Well, it worked…" Carthage scoffed, craning her neck to survey the wreckage behind and below them. "Let's hope we don't need to leave in a hurry." Dr Ngata murmured, looking straight ahead at the beacon. Thebes couldn't help but think that amounted to quite an expensive maneuver, but needed to keep morale from dropping off a cliff. "We'll make it work." He asserted gruffly. "Everyone get ready, we're close." They approached a cluster of mountains that they could see from the air formed a loose 'X' shape. Visibility was getting a bit spotty, but 595 could see flood plains surrounding most of this formation. The mountain in the middle was big, even by the standards set so far in this simulation. A broad, towering edifice of black rock, with a luminous beacon of white light on one shoulder about three quarters of the way up. Now that they were closer, the Agent could see that something similar to snow coated the top of the mountain, including the area around the beacon. There appeared to be a white winding path leading up to a small plaza. And as they approached, the light dimmed so much as to allow them a good look at the beacon's features with their night vision. It was a tall, rectangular building made from ivory-coloured stone. Rows of snow-topped steps led from the plaza up to a plinth of solid stone. A row of massive pillars circled the whole structure, sustaining a large sloped roof with exquisite carvings and murals. Light spilled from an opening in the front and rows of large windows 595 spotted along the sides. "That...was not what i was expecting." Dr Wetherall remarked, breaking the stunned silence. "It looks like something from Earth." Athena commented, as a freezing wind and flurries of snow whipped off the sides of the mountain and into their faces. The fliers took them down onto the plaza and released them. Then, one by one they took off again and swept away. 595 stared at the structure, mountain on her right and open expanse of plains off to her right. She felt like she'd seen this building before somehow. "Lets scout the perimeter, make multiple points of entry if we can." Thebes commanded. "Knossos, take Carthage and skirt left. Athena, Saddam, right. You're with me, ma'am. Ma'am!" 595 didn't respond, already creeping toward the front steps with her rifle raised.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Frigid, snowy mountains were not locations that Rothians would often visit willingly, but it was far from Rareth's first time out of her comfort zone. Besides which, between her suit and her implants, she did not feel the cold. Although she would not have admitted it openly, she did allow herself the briefest moment to take in the sight of this place they had came to. Its architecture was alien to her; like nothing she had seen on Rothia, or anywhere else among their colonies. Athena said it reminded her of Earth, and Rareth had no way of knowing how accurate that assessment was. Whatever its origin, this structure clearly represented something significant in this simulation. Everything else they had experienced had either been simple animals, natural features, or the creations of primitives. This was something else entirely. Its architecture and artistry implied much more advanced origins; although, Rareth still could not be sure if its creators were the same as those who had created the simulation itself. Hopefully, such questions would be answered soon enough. The Sacred Band approached the situation as expected of soldiers, securing the area and identifying tactically relevant information. Rareth had no objections there, but it was Agent 595's behavior that unsettled Rareth. She ignored Thebes and started approaching herself, weapon drawn. This was not the first instance of her strange behavior that Rareth had noticed, especially after the incident in the caves, and she would not ignore it. "Agent!" Rareth firmly declared as she stepped up just behind 595. "What are you doing? We have not come here to pick a fight. I will not have our first impression with this being to be to threaten it. You have been acting strangely for a while now; do not think I have not noticed."</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 595 didn't turn to face the Rothian. Her visor remained pressed against the delicate scope of her beam rifle. The bright white light emanating from the open entrance was proving hard to filter. "I'm just trying to see inside. This thing already knows we're armed to the teeth and leave a trail of destruction in our wake; why try and hide that at the expense of our security? Our presence is known, we can be certain of that." She opened her other eye, and saw Knossos and Carthage sprinting around the left side of the structure. Then, the light disappeared from her scope as Thebes stepped in front of her rifle with his back to her and hands linked. She recognised it as a peaceful, respectful way to contain her authority, developed during the long wars that mercenaries like the Sacred Band had fought on Earth and the inner worlds. The Agent slowly lowered her weapon and holstered it, blinking hard a few times. "Alright, we'll do it your way. Have we found any other entrances?" "Just the windows." Knossos crackled over comms "Every ten metres or so - no coverings." Thebes jumped in "Can you see through?" "No sir - they're too high up. We could climb?"</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori "I am not saying you should relinquish your weapon; I am saying you should not be pointing it at our host when we walk into its home." Rareth looked down and narrowed her eyes at the Agent, then retracted her helmet specifically so she could see the expression. She was not aggressive, nor did she seem angry, per se, but everything about her tone showed that she was deadly serious. "I do not know what will happen inside this place, but it very well could decide whether we leave here alive. I want to make sure that, at the very least, there will be no surprises from the allies beside me." Rareth walked a short distance up the steps as well to place herself between 595 and the entrance. "I have seen you as being aggressive, so far…trigger-happy, I think you might say. But that is not even what has the most of my concern. You have acted strangely, especially in the caves. One of those insects disintegrated to ash in your hands, then you seemingly disappeared from reality itself. You appeared in another part of the cavern in an instant, with your IFF tag no longer transmitting. Yet, you showed such little concern at this. It took such convincing for you to even see a medic. Was it pride, or something else? I want there to be no surprises in there; I want us to fully understand each other. So, is there anything you have not shared that would be…relevant to this?"</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 595 inhaled sharply through her nose, with gritted teeth and taut posture. It took every ounce of will she possessed to maintain her composure. How dare this alien meddle in her affairs! "You want to do this now?!" The Agent eventually hissed, peeling back her visor and staring right into the Rothian's eyes with her own augments. Two of the dots were solid blue, one blinked red. "I am fine. Perhaps if everything in this fucking place wasn't trying to kill me, i'd be less inclined to violence. With all this shit going on, frankly I'm relieved one of the creatures had the courtesy to wipe my memory once it was done trying to eat my face!" Thebes had slid directly in between the Agent and Rareth now, gently holding her back. "What's going on back there?" Knossos asked over comms. "Hold on, give us two minutes." Thebes ordered. "In case the Grand Datius needed a reminder, I don't answer to you. I serve Outremer, where people are dying every minute we waste, speculating if a sin-eater like me has her head screwed on properly! You do not have to like me, but I am finishing this mission and getting what we need to stop that from happening.." 595 spat, jabbing a finger at her own breastplate while stepping back away from the Rothian. She looked at the Human soldier in between them. "Thebes - have your team take a look through the windows. Right now." Thebes nodded. "Move in, both sides." He quickly relayed.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori "Perform reconnaissance only. Do not enter the building yet, nor engage in any hostilities." Rareth said to Thebes before quickly returning her attention to the Agent. "Yes, this is the only time we have to do this. I would have brought this up earlier, had we not been attacked. We might be in a simulation, but we are still on Rothia. For as long as we are on my homeworld, you do answer to me." Rareth turned her head briefly to look up at the structure looming over them. "The being that brought us here has not yet shown any aggression towards us. I will lead the way, and I will take the risk, but I do expect you to stay your hand. By definition, the beings of this simulation are an uncontacted civilization within Rothian space, so it is the Rothian government which has jurisdiction over first-contact diplomacy. You said it yourself: Outremer needs help, and we have agreed to help you. So, do not trample upon our agreement and goodwill along with it. So, I ask again, is there anything the rest of us should know? You disappeared, then reappeared by seemingly impossible means. I cannot even be sure that you are the same Agent 595 that entered that cave. Your mind could have been influenced, or even replaced, by something in the simulation when you disappeared. If you could share your recording of the incident, sensor readings, the medical report from Knossos, anything that might help us understand what happened…that is all I want: transparency." To reinforce her point, Rareth quickly sent the Sacred Band a copy of all of her recordings and other data from their time in the caves. Everything she saw, heard, and felt, they could access.</s>	<\|message\|>Agent 595 595 actually laughed out loud, shaking her head in derision. "Transparency? Oh that is rich, coming from you Datius! The pointy end of the entire Rothian apparatus, elevated to mythical status and shrouded in mystery, attached to wars across the galaxy, is asking me to explain myself." Dr Wetherall, who'd been watching this exchange in shock with the rest of the civilians, raised a hand and tried to interject. "Umm, the floor..." "Stay out of this!" 595 snapped, before jabbing a finger at Rareth. "Perhaps we should start with you explaining that wormhole tech you've been keeping a secret. That would've been useful to know about before Memnon died protecting your flank. Maybe we could've done things differently." The Agent stared at the Datius, as dull blue lights emanating through the hairline cracks in the plaza beneath them started shining brightly in patches where the snow wasn't piled up. "We need to-" Thebes started but couldn't finish. "ENOUGH." a voice boomed in their heads. 595 saw Rareth and Thebes were picked up like ragdolls, to float a couple of feet from the floor. Then she realised the same entity had immobilised her and the civilians in the air as well. An invisible manipular field forced their arms to their sides and their feet together. 595 tried to speak, but she couldn't move a muscle. Their suits powered down, and one by one they floated in a line toward the door. 595 tried to send a message using her mind implant, but that seemed to have ceased functioning too. They entered through the double doors at the front of the structure, into a grand rectangular gallery. Pillars stood on either side, and the high, open windows behind them were embedded in thick outer walls. Torches flickered in their sconces, but the real light in the room came from the figure sitting in a throne at the far end of the room. It looked Human in shape, before morphing into a Rothian silhouette and then back again. It seemed entirely composed of light energy, with no real features other than an outline. The rest of the Sacred Band were already lying prostrate on the floor a short distance from the steps leading up to the throne. The invisible fields laid 595, Thebes, Rareth and the civilians alongside them, heads facing the ground. Eventually, the Agent realised her muscles worked again. "Are you ready to talk to me? I don't have much time." The being asked out loud, in a dry, raspy voice.</s>
<\|description\|>Agent 595 Species: Human Gender: Female Age: UNKNOWN Nationality: UNKNOWN Weapons and/or equipment: UNKNOWN Backstory: UNKNOWN</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 The shape blinked out of existence, reappearing behind them. 595 slowly rose to her knees, but maintained a non-threatening pose. "This is not about power, not yet." The thing replied. It charged up the 'P' in 'power' until it echoed around the gallery. This thing accented the Human standard language quite thickly; the Agent also noticed a faint background noise when it moved and enunciated, like the hiss of a distant wildfire. "You're hiding something of ours. Our...home. It's begun...waking, hasn't it?" 595 flinched and closed her eyes when a blindingly bright hand reached down and stroked her bare cheek. "Shhh, it's alright. I mean you no harm." The thing soothed, the ambient hiss growing slightly as it moved away from her and sloped over to Rareth. "You have witnessed things you do not understand, and you come here seeking answers?" 595 moved her face away from the thing's wandering hand and nodded her head. It gave off what could only be described as a sigh, and slid a finger along Rareth's shoulders and back as it shimmered past. "I'm so sorry." It walked in front of them. "I fear that means our foe draws nearer, and that puts you in grave danger. You must help us return home, so we may escape. Otherwise, they will destroy us all."</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Rareth tried to take in as much as she could about her surroundings. Both the building and the being itself were something new and unexplained, but what it had to say seemed even more important. Both its words, and the subtext underneath, were worrisome, if they turned out to be true. Every sentence this being spoke raised a myriad of extra questions, but they could only tackle one at a time. Rareth supposed she should start with the most important first. "Yes, I can say that it is understanding that drives me." Rareth answered. "Your home, I suppose that refers to what the Humans call the Cradle, on their world of Outremer. It is a supercomputer, like this one, though substantially larger. My people have not been allowed access to it in the past, but because of its recent…waking, as you put it, my people have agreed to help them understand what is happening. If there is trouble coming, my people may be able to help. I would appreciate any answers you can give about it. This foe, what is it? And these devices like the Cradle, how do they relate to it?"</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 The being mimicked a wide, empathetic smile, with a slash of lighter coloured energy emerged on its facial area. "Look at you all… So strong, and loyal. It makes me proud - with more time, perhaps we could've made things right. But I fear it's too late now; our persecutors were numerous then and will only have grown in number over time. They will crush you if they discover you harboured us. They oppose our desire to spread life throughout the universe. They seek to control it all." The creature theatrically clenched one fist, to illustrate. 595 jumped in here. "Who is 'us'? I see only one of you here." The being stared at her, before stalking back to its throne and lounging on it. Its shape grew less recognisable as fuzzy, crackling appendages grew out, making it look like the manifestation of an electric shock. "There were four of us, before. But, one of us was killed by our foe as we tried to escape. We're scattered across this galaxy, badly hurt and hiding. We can't communicate directly, or they'll know where we are." The thing leaned forward in its seat, grasping the armrests with both hands. "But if you return us to our home, we can start to heal. And then we can lead them away from your civilisation. You've hidden our home well, behind your shields and underneath your city. But it won't take them long to join the dots once they arrive."</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori "Made things right…" Rareth repeated to herself as her mind was once again taken in thought. She picked up on how the being was speaking about them, and given the discoveries that had been made over the past few weeks, she felt there was little doubt as to why. "We discovered, hidden in our own DNA, coordinates to this place, this device. I feel there is no denying that your people have some connection to us, and an ancient one, at that. You spread life, you say, and I can only assume that we were among the life you spread." Nirann, nearby, hummed and briefly chuckled to himself. "Well, that would explain the long-standing improbability of Rothia bearing life at all." Rareth did not break her focus from the being. There were still many questions to be answered, though as she was currently the representative of her people, her words could well set the tone for their future relations. "I think it is fair to say, regarding my people, that we are loyal to life. We seek the…eternal preservation of ourselves, and other intelligent life. Anything that is willing to exist in harmony with us. If you are indeed peaceful, and this enemy you speak of threatens you, I believe we are obliged to help you. What is this foe, exactly? Is it another species, another civilization? If it cannot be reasoned with, then perhaps, together, we could resist it?"</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 The figure nodded sagely at Nirann's comment, some of its shock cloud attributes receding. "When I… crash-landed, this habitat was failing. I used most of my...payload to help life flourish here." It glanced between the droid and Rareth. "You were my best chance of communicating incognito. I am so pleased you have returned to me, and you've brought news of my home with you too." It smiled broadly at 595 and the other Humans at that point. It focused solely on Rareth's questions now. "We're being hunted by the Hegemon. A synthetic, like us, but obsessed with power." The thing spat out this word again, evidently disgusted. "It is determined to exterminate us, ever since we stood up to it's twisted plans for galactic dominance. Eons have since passed; the threat we face may be incalculable. At any rate, before we can even countenance resisting the Hegemon, we all need to return home."</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Rareth made a note of a few revelations from what the being was sharing with her. They were synthetics, both this being and these mysterious "Hegemon". That itself opened up more questions, but Rareth still had to choose what was the most pressing. She really did not know how much time they had to speak. "I believe my people may have a way to move you to Outremer. Whether you mean just your mind, or this whole place." Rareth answered. "But, I do still have questions about the Cradle. Most prominently, what we have encountered here, with you, is far from what I was expecting given what has been happening in the Cradle." She quickly gestured to her Human associates. "The reason the Humans have allowed my people to assist them is because the Cradle has become a hostile place for them. When the Humans discovered the Cradle centuries ago, they began using it and have organized much of their planet's administration through it. They created places within the simulation for themselves, but they never encountered any intelligent life within until recently. This intelligence has sent creatures to abduct and kill Humans within the simulation, and the reports I have seen have implied that some Human minds have been taken and incorporated into this being, or beings. Do you have any idea what might be happening? Is this something you might expect, or could something have gone wrong?" Rareth paused just a moment as she overlayed a relevant document onto her HUD. "If it helps, I have the report of a Rothian who spoke to one of these creatures. It spoke like a child at first, claiming to have lost its 'toys' far away. Then it changed its voice and said it remembered little of what it was, but it did recall the Rothians."</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 The being looked pleased when Rareth swung toward a solution, tapping the long tips of it's fingers together in a steeple pointed at the team. However as the Datius continued, it grew somber, clasping its hands together across the armrests and resting its sharp chin on them. The being sighed deeply when she had finished speaking. "I am extremely sorry, for all the unpleasantness you have experienced. It was never meant to be this way." It's voice seemed to be getting raspier; the light emanating from its body flickered momentarily. The snow and wind howling through the windows and across the gallery increased in ferocity. "The...Cradle… is badly damaged, like me. Now that it has been activated, it is rejecting all foreign bodies in preparation for conflict." One of the torches close to the doors blew out with a huff. The being snapped its fingers and the fire reignited. "And in the absence of directives from myself or the others, It is likely building its own...decision-making function." Dr Wetherall evidently couldn't believe his ears. "Like a consciousness?" He spluttered. The being weighed up those words before responding with a nod. "Sure. I can stop it, but It's imperative that you return me to my home as soon as possible, to prevent the corruption from growing any further." There was a very short pause, making it clear that the initial shock was wearing off. Dr Ngata jumped in next. "What about all the creatures we encountered on the way to you? One of us died trying to get here." The being stared out of a high window, flickering again. "They are me; all of it is. Those creatures are the remains of my payload - imprints of organic life potential. Sadly I lost control over most of my domain long ago, my mind...wanders." "Can you bring him back? The man we lost." Thebes asked, bowing his head respectfully. The being slowly swiveled to study the soldier. "I can try, if you help me heal my wounds." 595 was keen to keep the conversation on track, so she wasted no more time in asking the most pressing question on her mind. "It sounds like we need to rescue your, uh, colleagues, too, right? To restore balance to the Cradle? Do you know where they are?" The being shook its head, the fuzzy tendrils sprouting all over its body again. "No. I have to assume we are keeping each other safe, biding our time. If they are as weak as me...'running' is not an option." 595 nodded thoughtfully, glad her gambit had paid off.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori The Cradle being damaged was among the possibilities Rareth had considered, though several other possibilities had also been plausible. Still, if it could be repaired, as this being was suggesting, then it was not the worst case scenario. If the consciousness of the Cradle could be healed, then it would likely cease its hostilities. That was a satisfactory outcome to the Rothians, though that did not necessarily mean the Humans would end up satisfied. Even if the Cradle was healed and the Hegemon was evaded or defeated, there was no guarantee that Outremer would be able to retain use of the Cradle afterwards. That was a possibility that needed to be prepared for, In any event, the Rahn'Saki had already made the decision that they would not allow a mass-death event to occur, if there was a way to prevent it. "Even if you do not know where they are yourself, it may not be impossible to find them." Rareth remarked. She crossed her arms and looked ahead at nothing in particular as she started to brainstorm aloud. "The coordinates to this place were in our own DNA. If I understood you correctly, you helped us survive and made such changes to us in the hope that we could help you communicate with the others. Perhaps we could check the genetics of other known species to see if any other beings had the same idea? Granted, that may be a long-shot. Still, if there is any other evidence of intelligent tampering with a species' genetics, that would give us places to search. Otherwise, we do know that one of your kind's goals is to spread life, so starting our search in places with an abundance of life could at least narrow our search area." If the being had any input on Rareth's ideas, she would welcome it, but ultimately she stopped herself to avoid getting too sidetracked. Now, it was most prudent to use the time they had for important questions. Rareth did notice the hints of the changes going on outside the building as they spoke, and though she did not know the importance of them precisely, she suspected their time was not limitless. "In any case, as I said, we may well be able to help you reach the Cradle. Unfortunately, my people cannot make that decision unilaterally. Outremer is not our world. And no offense to those present, but I know some of the Human leadership to be….stubborn. Do you know of any evidence we could show them to convince them that what you say is true?" Rareth asked the being.</s>	<\|message\|>Agent 595 The creature nodded distractedly at Rareth's suggestions, its luminescence fading fast. It opened its mouth, then closed it again. "We…" It slumped back into it's throne. The wind rushing through the openings in the building took on a distinctly blurred quality. After a few moments it better resembled feedback from malfunctioning audio equipment than actual weather. While Rareth was racing to finish her latest line of inquiry, 595 was staring all around her. Several packet loss and operating viability flags appeared on her specialised sensory suite. "We have to get out of here." The Agent announced abruptly. She rose from her kneeling position and marched up the steps to the being. "If you want our help, you have to eject us this instant, do you understand?" The being regarded her feebly, lounging slackly in it's throne and flickering continuously. "What do you need? Power? Can we give you some energy to get us out of here?" The thing lethargically raised an arm, beckoning for her to come closer. 595 complied, edging right in front of it. As quick as a flash the creature grabbed her wrist. The Agent's suit crackled with energy, sending fingers of lightning out to connect the whole team. The wind outside was a deafening crrrrrrkkkkkkkkkk now, whirling around them like a tornado. "Make me proud." The thing whispered inside her head, looking straight into her soul with tortured, unblinking eyes of sunset red. --- 595 gasped real air, jerking taut against the harness weighing her down. "They're back!" Freyr shouted, racing over to her. "It's okay. Let me check your vitals and we'll get you out of this harness."</s>
<\|description\|>Agent 595 Species: Human Gender: Female Age: UNKNOWN Nationality: UNKNOWN Weapons and/or equipment: UNKNOWN Backstory: UNKNOWN</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta had seen the explosive drones in action before, so his implant knew to mark it as a priority threat. The drones were quick, but that did meant that, by tracking the drone's vector, he could know just as quickly which one was targeting him. In an instant, Vreta snapped his aim towards the incoming explosive. His implant gave its projected path, as well as assisting his hands in aiming precisely enough to put a shot right in that path. Vreta took multiple shots, though it was his first that struck the drone mid-air. The detonation was still close enough to stress Vreta's shields and drop them low, but he was still able to dive into the nearest cover. He had to wait for his shields to recover, so he took the time to observe the state of the battle. He was not sure what was causing his frontline to lose ground, considering the advantages they had over the enemy, but it was a circumstance he would need to adjust to. The soldiers behind Vreta were at least keeping Saddam occupied for the moment, so Vreta could afford to focus on Thebes. The marines Vreta was pushing with did not yet have pressure on them, though they had still not found a shot on Thebes. He was not sure he could rely on Kjartan to defeat Thebes alone either, so he needed to help personally. Vreta shifted over next to one of the Blue team marines in cover near to him. "I need this." He said as he grabbed the Human's lethal grenade. "Kjartan, shield up. Grenade incoming!" He warned through their comms before arming the grenade and tossing it over towards Thebes. He stayed down while his implant tracked the explosive through the air. Though he did warn Kjartan, he still made sure to throw it such that Thebes would be between Kjartan and the grenade, just to be safe. At the last moment, Vreta peeked a narrow angle and shot the grenade to airburst it on Thebes' position.</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 595 directed her sensory suite to find and mark key members of the opposing team in her HUD. She found Vreta near the centre, cloaked in a corona of fire from an explosive charge. The Varangian she'd seen on the bridge before was rushing Thebes. Athena had just respawned and Knossos was close to doing the same. So far, the Agent had spent most of the battle on defence. She'd abused her state of the art and highly classified set of tools to corrode the other team's capability to fight effectively. A series of malfunctioning weapons, IFF tags and communications pathways had insidiously tilted the balance in favour of the cornered Red Team. Her carefully applied active camouflage hadn't worked as well as she'd hope, though. This was when 595 had come to suspect that the Barb's Rothian guest was providing some kind of force multiplier; the other team was too accurate as to be natural. So, 595 had made her way hastily forward once her work had been done in the smoke. She didn't harass the retreating Blue Team - she was focused on just a single target. It was time to go on offense. Looking downrange, and piggybacking as many combat suit nodes as she could, the Agent assaulted Vreta's implants with a Grade 5 Cradle-Scrivener-Fujikawa virus. If left unattended, it would shut down all implants and paralyse him until recalled. It was an incredibly dangerous virus, normally reserved for dismantling entire battalions, but 595 was a competitive individual. She was confident Vreta wouldn't be able to resist a black site cyber attack and co-ordinate his troops at the same time. Biting her bottom lip with a gleeful grin, 595 began shooting at the retreating Blue Team vanguard. They were getting close to falling on top of Thebes, who had enough to worry about. --- Thebes scrambled away from the grenade like a Human cockroach, but couldn't avoid being flattened against the rubble beneath him by the concussive blast. He flipped onto his back, just as Kjartan vaulted over the barricade Thebes had been hiding behind. The Norse absorbed a few shots from the Team Leader's rapid-fire pistol before savagely bringing his hammer down towards his chest. Thebes rolled away and tried to get up. Kjartan was quick to retrieve his hammer from where it was buried in the ground and jab him in the ribs, sending Thebes flying into the side of a flier. Kjartan stalked forward, laughing maniacally.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori It took only a moment for Vreta to realize what was happening, and his implant was already working to contain the detected threat. Someone was being exceptionally bold, and at least at first, Vreta had a mind to show them who they were dealing with. However, he soon realized that there was something more to this virus. Normal Human malware likely would have been dealt with before Vreta was even aware of it, but there was something different about this one. His implant started dedicating a surprising amount of resources to adapting to the malicious code, so as quickly as he could, Vreta himself stepped into action. From the start, Vreta disabled all outgoing signaling from his implant to prevent any outbound transmissions. Without that, there would be no connection from his implant to any external server. Naturally, he also ceased his ongoing tactical support to his team so that his implant could dedicate its full processing power to the task ahead. Despite the surprising sophistication of the virus, Vreta might have been able to have it dealt with swiftly, had that been the path he chose. There was clearly Cradle tech involved with the program, but his own implant was top-of-the-line by Rothian standards. It had immense computational capacity compared to anything of Human creation, and this virus was at least still partially Human-made. Vreta, however, was not merely interested in stopping it. This presented new opportunities beyond just the outcome of a combat simulation. Vreta, of course, did nothing to hamper his implant's ability to fight back and protect himself. He stopped his own digital assistance towards his team so that his implant would have the resources for the kind of record-keeping he required. Like a ship sealing off compromised compartments, his implant first quarantined various sections of his internal network from one another. Some sections, by their core design architecture, were inaccessible. Implant subsystems connected to most vital organ systems were isolated, with their own processors and core programming. They were disconnected from his neural implant, except for a specialized interface that allowed the subsystems to view directives without allowing the direct transmission of code. The virus could not spread to them, but other systems, such as his sensory and motor functions, did have a direct, low-latency connection to his neural implant. As such, his implant did have to work to protect them. Instead of outright deletion, Vreta directed his implant to create an quarantined partition with "write once read many" write protection. Any well-made virus would be able to erase part or all of itself if needed, but his implant was more than capable of dealing with that issue. It issued a root-level override to all deletion operations, or indeed any form of code modification, to instead copy into the quarantined partition. In effect, that partition would serve as an immutable record of everything happening within Vreta's internal network in order to guarantee that he could save a copy of the virus in its entirety. Of course, Vreta had stopped giving any manner of assistance to his team during all of this, but at this point, his goals had changed.</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 The virus reported back instantaneously upon release. 595 stopped firing and dedicated most of her processing power to understanding the request. She was still vaguely away of the battle unfolding in front of her, but it seemed to slow down. "Quick - release me; this one requires full control." The virus whispered in her mind. The Agent's HUD helpfully painted a dozen thin black helixes winding between her helmet and nodes out in the field, which then wrapped around Vreta. These connections all gyrated impatiently in the air. "SCRIVENER-FUJIKAWA CONTROLS MUST NOT BE RELINQUISHED." a synthetic warning blared. 595 quickly analysed some of the data the virus was feeding back. Vreta's internal defences were already going up, and she only had a vanishingly small amount of time to upgrade her attack. The Agent could see Vreta, and he was just standing in place. That wasn't enough for her; she wanted to see him flat on the floor. Normally she wouldn't even consider an action like this, but she'd felt an odd affinity with the viruses in her arsenal recently that hadn't been there before. She felt more comfortable with controlling it personally, and even relished the challenge. "Alright. But just remember you belong to me."The Agent overrode the lab controls, and instead assumed direct control. A new, totally alien strand surged through the slaved network, fully intent on Vreta. 595 drew in a sharp breath as some of the readings washed over her. She instantly felt a pull on all her personal control over the virus, like it was straining at the leash, dragging her along. It was a hundred times more complex, yet somehow felt familiar. However, it never reached Vreta. A deafeningly loud klaxon sounded inside the simulation room; red lights flashed. The black helix lines in 595's HUD went taut, then whipped back towards her as every piece of Human hardware inside the room, apart from her, powered down. Every detail of the simulation bled away, leaving clear white contours that'd raised from the floor to form the cover and buildings. Some of these too began lowering back into the floor, leaving the participants staring about, confused. 595 gasped as the virus rushed back into its box in the back of her head and hid. "Stand down! Simulation ends." A human coordinator shouted from the control pod.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori Vreta's implant had stamped out the final traces of the virus in his mind, outside of the records in the quarantined partition. Though, it had stopped fighting back after the room had gone dark. The simulation might have ended inconclusively, to the confusion of most of those involved, but Vreta could be satisfied with the fact that he had a record of everything that happened within his mind. He realized that he was going to have to schedule some minor surgery to deal with this, but hopefully, what was within his storage drive now would be a gift well-worth the trouble. In the spectator's booth, there was another guest to the Barbarossa. She stood near the window, looking out over the now-featureless arena. Rareth was unarmored and unarmed, or at least did not carry any external weapons. She had not originally come for any official purpose as a Datius, but rather simply to speak with the members of the Sacred Band. She had not expected anything more complicated than a conversation, but she was nothing if not adaptable. It had been easy to notice when something strange started to happen with Vreta, so she had been in a position to observe everything that was observable when the room shut down. "Interesting." On his part, Vreta did not show any signs of distress, nor did he have any intention of letting on to what happened on his own. It was in his interest to keep the details quiet for now, if at all possible. In fact, the more ignorance he could believably feign towards 595, the better. Though, he could not be sure what the simulation's observers already knew. After all, the room would not have shut down without reason, so either the virus forced the simulation into shutdown for some reason, or there was something that the ship could detect, which it reacted to. "Is everything fine? No one is hurt, are they?" Vreta asked loudly.</s>	<\|message\|>Agent 595 The Agent glowered up at the command pod for spoiling her fun. There she saw the big Rothian from the earlier simulation, and Captain Andersen. She was standing among the technicians and some other officers, staring right at 595; she didn't look pleased. The Agent huffed. She turned around and headed quickly for the staging area and exit, pushing past a marine who was chatting with the soldier beside him. "Move!" As she navigated her way around the mounds of nondescript cover and thought it through, a little seed of dread germinated in her head. Even if the Rothians captured her little toy and had the nerve to disable the controls, they wouldn't see the same thing she'd just seen. They couldn't, not yet. She'd covered her tracks too, so diplomatically they couldn't touch her. But that wasn't what was unnerving her. It was how connected she'd been to that virus in its final form. She'd been training for this over fifty years, but nothing could have prepared her for the raw power mainlining through her implants. She'd gotten a partial map of the inside of Vreta's head, but otherwise the controlled virus had obviously been outmatched, fighting with one hand tied. But the other one...she couldn't help but wonder if it would've accomplished its mission and more… "Everyone make your way carefully back to the staging area while we reboot." The co-ordinator ordered. 595 checked her arsenal, making triple sure the Scrivener-Fujikawa controls were fully enabled again. It looked secure; although she couldn't help but distrust the virus' willingness to go back to its prison. The Agent's skin crawled; she suddenly wanted to feel the open air. She peeled back her visor but wasn't satisfied. She opened the whole front of her suit and stepped out, clad in shorts and a vest. It remained open and walked confidently behind her, ready for re-entry at any moment. 595 snatched the assault weapon out of its hands and shoved it into the armoury-tech's arms before stalking to the doors. --- "Not yet, anyway!" Kjartan jokingly responded to Vreta. His blood rage faded away quicker than it had appeared. He offered a consolatory hand to Thebes, who was on his hands and knees preparing to get up. The Sacred Band leader took it and got to his feet, holstering the energy blade he'd hidden under his body. Kjartan seemed close to deprecating the team leader, but something stopped him. "I serious about joining Sacred Band." He admitted gruffly, nodding respectfully at Thebes as they made their way towards the exit with everyone else. "I know." Thebes replied.</s>
<\|description\|>Agent 595 Species: Human Gender: Female Age: UNKNOWN Nationality: UNKNOWN Weapons and/or equipment: UNKNOWN Backstory: UNKNOWN</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 "My patience is wearing thin, Agent. This is the second time you've failed us." The Director-General spoke directly into 595's head. She was curled up in Freyr's office, cross-legged in her chair. Rows of symbols flashed on a nearby monitor as she stroked the interface pad. "Your inability to control the powers we've invested in you will be drawing even more attention to us...Do we need to replace you?" "No, Master. I've meditated on it now. All the signs point to my Sublimation having begun already. I will exercise more restraint from now on, like you taught me. I will keep an eye on the other Humans too, in case they show any signs of change. The Rothian Datius may prove a bit trickier…" "Don't attempt anything until we've extracted the Navigator from Rothian space. Just run interference on any further investigation. We have to assume the entity interpreted our handshake as we intended...We have a team examining the sample data you sent. If you hear anything from CRD about the location of the other artifacts, you report back immediately. Understand?" "Yes, Master." 595 wanted to ask about the situation at home, about the fight raging inside the Cradle. But she knew the Director-General wouldn't answer. He chimed in again. "And try to drive a wedge between Dr Lang and this...Vreta'Sori. We'll deal with him properly when the time comes." 595 spotted Freyr entering the lab space outside the office windows. "Of course. I have to sign off now - Dr Lang has risen." "Don't let me down. We are watching you closely." The connection to Outremer ceased. 595 quickly uncurled from her comfy position on the seat and padded out of the office.</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori When Vreta opened his eyes once more, it took a moment for him to start breathing again. His core software had already booted up before he was conscious, while secondary programs started to come online once he was awake. His surgery, along with most others on Rothia, was performed by quick, precise, and reliable machines, but even for them, the complete overhaul of his neural structure was a task that lasted several hours. He had been told beforehand everything the procedure would entail, which was why he was surprised at just how…normal he felt. At least, for the first few seconds. Vreta had been moved from the auto-surgeon to a hospital bed before he had awoken. The sensors in the bed beneath him were constantly scanning his vitals and sending the results to the two doctors that were looming over him while his implants were coming online. The pair of them were both occupied looking at charts and readouts on various holographic screens floating around them, while talking back and forth to one another mostly in medical jargon. However, there was a third being that he could see: a Rothian woman. She caught his attention right away, not in the least because of the vibrant designs of her scales. Repeating patterns of various shades of orange and yellow stood out between black and white accents all across her body. She seemed to be sitting between the two doctors, right on top of some medical equipment, yet they did not look at nor even acknowledge her existence. Vreta was still too weak to get out of bed, and besides which, the doctors would likely still want to keep him under observation for a while. However, he did look up at the Rothian, finally acknowledging her where no one else had. The woman stood up to her feet and walked past the doctors, again without notice. "Well, you're finally awake. Glad I finally get to meet my new host." Vreta nodded his head and took another moment just to breathe. He still remembered his briefings on this; answering her aloud was not even necessary. Merely thinking would suffice. "I suppose so. I would introduce myself, but I guess you already know everything there is to know about me." The woman chuckled briefly. "Not quite. Even for me, it will take a while to sift through six centuries of memories. Even then, memories, by themselves, don't give all the context. Anyways, I'm Rhia'Sel, and if the mission briefing I got is anything to go by, we're going to have a lot of work to do."</s> <\|message\|>Agent 595 Freyr looked up from the console she was reading from over Dr Wetherall's shoulder and saw Agent 595 exiting her office. They locked eyes across the lab - the spook winked and grinned devilishly at her. Freyr didn't react, immediately thinking back to the previous afternoon. The Rothian Speaker, Roth'Orsa, had questioned the motives of the Director-General, Agent 595 and the organisation they claimed to be a part of. A lot of what she...it had said resonated with what Freyr had pieced together so far. It had felt nice to talk to something that shared her concerns, even if they were almost certainly synthetic. But any feeling of security Freyr gained from the meeting were immediately shaken upon leaving. 595 promptly and firmly whisked her back to the Barbarossa, where the Director-General was waiting on a holo-screen. Ostensibly, this meeting was for her to run through her report on their foray into the simulation, propose next steps and answer questions. Freyr dutifully obliged; the bright-eyed man was technically her boss, after all. She explained her recommended course of action - learn as much as possible about the object before it was moved, try to negotiate terms of use for the Cradle. 595 jumped in, changing the conversation entirely. "What did you and the Speaker talk about? Back then, in Threria." The Agent was leaning against the wall behind where Freyr was seated with her arms crossed. The Director-General's holo was in front of her, staring into her soul. Freyr had been expecting the question, but her throat still tightened and her cheeks still burned. She gulped. "She wanted to talk about how they could best assist us with our investigations." 595 appeared from behind and sat down in a seat facing her. "And what did you say?" The Director-General asked. "We're, uh, going to set up a joint patent scheme to take advantage of Rothia's advanced technology. They claim to have improved our mobile transit station design. Don't worry, I'll have our team ensure they-" "You're lying to us, sweetie. I thought we were friends?" 595 asked. "I'm not lying, I-" "You do not have the authority to make deals on Outremer's behalf. I will need to see your implant recordings of this conversation, to see if it's something we can legally offer." The Director-General interrupted her. Freyr hesitated, then pretended to look through her internal archive before focusing back on him. "I don't have anything recorded, the Speaker must have a scrambler. I'm sure she'd repeat it for you though." 595 chortled. The Director-General considered her like a science teacher might inspect a dissection sample. A few seconds passed before his features softened and spoke softly again. "These aliens, Dr Lang...they aren't your colleagues. That thing you just talked to is the leader of a police state. They want nothing more than to take the Cradle for themselves and turn us into a satrapy if we give them the chance. While our leaders have lost their senses and agreed to cooperate with them, that doesn't mean we should let our guard down." He took a pause. "I understand that collaboration in the pursuit of science is your natural response. But this is no longer just a scientific endeavor. The survival of our entire species hangs in the balance now. Conspiring against Outremer and Humanity with a foreign power is at best, grounds for dismissal. At worst, treason. So i'll ask you one more time. What did you say to them?"</s> <\|message\|>Vreta'Sori About the next half hour was spent with Vreta having about three different types of diagnostics run on his body while answering questions to the doctors. Rhia's internal diagnostic finished long before the other two, and she gave him a clean bill of health. Vreta could easily believe her, as he was well-aware of the fact that she had knowledge of every single cell in his body. Or at least, that was the reach of his implants, and she had taken the place of his implants' central operating system. Really, he had few options except to trust her. In principal, he was still in charge, but that was convention enforced through Rahn'Masser rules and regulations, not anything physical within his mind. They were meant to be partners, so there was nothing that shackled her in his implants. Rhia continued to appear in a Rothian form within Vreta's vision, but it was only he that could see her for now, until she decided to show herself to others. "Once the doctors cut you loose, we have an appointment to meet back up with Rareth. With how long you've been under, they'll surely have at least some preliminary results by now from studying that virus. Though, we can't take too long talking. Investigations into the object will probably start soon enough, and we'll want to be there for that." Vreta tilted his head towards Rhia, though it occurred to him that he should probably avoid making gestures towards her in public if he wanted to avoid any peculiar looks from others. "Are you sure? This is all pretty new to me. I imagine we, or…I, at least, would benefit from a good orientation and some practice with your capabilities." "Normally, yes." Rhia nodded. "But, we're not really operating on our own timetable right now. Besides, the best way to learn is by doing, right? Don't worry too much, you'll pick up what you need easily enough. And I already know what I'm doing. You're not the first head I've been in. I was partner to a Datius for almost a century. He's retired from field service now, though, and I was looking for something new." "A Datius?" Vreta remarked. He was surprised, but this time avoided showing that outwardly. "I imagine there are some amazing stories you could tell from that. I've seen Rareth'Jharn in action." Rhia chuckled for a moment. "Yeah, those were great times. Great…classified times. Don't worry, though. We can make our own stories. It looks like the doctors are almost done."</s>	<\|message\|>Agent 595 Snapping from her reverie momentarily, Freyr grabbed a pill from her back pocket and popped it in her mouth. She slurped her coffee again and wolfed down a spoon of her granola as she watched 595 make her way over. The Agent was being uber polite, standing aside to let scientists pass and exchanging pleasantries with them. That wasn't a good sign. --- At this point, Freyr realised didn't have much to lose by doubling down on her statement. What she was saying wasn't technically a fabrication. It just relied on the Speaker actually following up on what she'd said. "I've already told you. We talked about improving our Cradle-tech. You should be thanking me." Director-General Smith audibly sighed. Freyr noticed 595 look quickly at his holo, as if waiting for some signal. Smith almost imperceptibly shook his head at the Agent, before looking back at Freyr. Every nerve ending in her body was screaming at her to get up and run, but Freyr forced herself to remain motionless. "Very well. I'd like you to conduct your investigations from aboard the Barbarossa. That way, I'm better placed to help you coordinate the team's efforts, and can stay in closer contact. I also require the Agent or myself to be involved in every conversation you have with the Rothians from now, in the interests of national security." Smith paused, and returned with a consolatory tone. "Only together, will we bring your family back. That's your main reason for being here, right? Remember that." Freyr felt her jaw tighten and her breathing stop. The Director-General signed off, and 595 patted her gently on the shoulder before leaving her alone in the conference room, staring at the wall until she couldn't hold her breath any longer. --- "Good morning. What's the plan?" 595 asked enthusiastically, gliding in beside Freyr's console. Freyr eat another spoonful of granola and made the Agent wait while she swallowed. "I'm going to request a tandem insert from the Barb. We've got the infrastructure here to move heavy equipment into the sim. It'll be faster than transporting everything down to the FOB." "Exciting!" 595 grinned, stroking her arm. Freyr tried her best to not look resentful as she requested a call with Marae.</s>